Jabari Smith Jr. News, Rumors, Updates - Houston Rockets

Out Monday Smith (ankle) is out for Monday's contest against the Timberwolves, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact The rookie forward will officially miss his second consecutive contest due to an ankle injury. Tari Eason figures to draw another start due to Smith's absence. The Auburn product's next chance to take the floor comes Wednesday against the Wizards.

JANUARY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable Monday Smith (ankle) is questionable for Monday's game against the Timberwolves.

Impact Smith sat out Saturday against Minnesota due to a sprained right ankle, but he'll have a chance to return for Monday's rematch. He's scored in double figures in three of his last four appearances and has averaged 15.3 points and 5.5 rebounds in 28.8 minutes per game across that span.

JANUARY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out Saturday Smith (ankle) is out for Saturday's game against the Timberwolves, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact As expected, Smith will sit out Saturday, marking just the second absence of his rookie campaign. More minutes should be available for Tari Eason and Jae'Sean Tate.

JANUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as doubtful Smith (ankle) is officially doubtful for Saturday's meeting with the Timberwolves.

Impact A previous report indicated that Smith had been ruled out for the contest, but the official injury report has the rookie listed as doubtful. If he misses Saturday, Tari Eason and Jae'Sean Tate will see increased run, though it's unclear who will enter the starting lineup in Smith's presumed absence.

JANUARY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Saturday Smith (ankle) will miss Saturday's game versus the Timberwolves, Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston reports.

Impact Smith was present at practice Friday but didn't participate, foreshadowing just his second absence from the lineup all season. Smith's absence should open the door to increased minutes for Tari Eason, Jae'Sean Tate and others, though it's unclear who will join the starting unit. Should Eason get the nod, it would mark his debut in the starting five. Smith will rest up for his next chance to return in a rematch with Minnesota on Monday.

JANUARY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out Wednesday Smith will not return to Wednesday's game against the Hornets due to a right ankle sprain, Adam Spolane of Sports Radio 610 Houston reports.

Impact Smith is an early exit for Wednesday's contest, posting eight points and five rebounds prior to suffering the ankle injury. In his stead, Tari Eason and Jae'Sean Tate could see more minutes. Smith's next chance to suit up will come Saturday against the Timberwolves.

JANUARY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

LeBron James scores season-high 48 Pts in Lakers win vs. Rockets | UNDISPUTED

JANUARY 17, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

How did Jabari Smith Jr. make LeBron James feel old? The rookie from Auburn shared a bit of family history with the 18-time All-Star during an NBA game.

JANUARY 17, 2023 • AL.COM

Jabari Smith Jr. had a fun fact for LeBron 😂

JANUARY 17, 2023 • YOUTUBE

Posts career-best scoring night Smith totaled 27 points (11-20 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 3-3 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and three blocks over 34 minutes during Friday's 139-114 loss to the Kings.

Impact The No. 3 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft came into Friday averaging just 6.7 points on 32 percent shooting over his previous three contests, but he turned things around dramatically with his first 20-plus point performance since Dec. 23. Smith's scoring total was the highest of his career thus far, and he reached the 27 points on an efficient 11-for-20 mark from the field. While the outburst showed a hint of Smith's offensive potential, fantasy managers who roster him shouldn't expect this level of efficiency most nights, as the rookie is still shooting just 39.1 percent from the field on the season.

JANUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Posts double-double in loss Smith logged 14 points (3-10 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 6-8 FT), 13 rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals over 31 minutes during Wednesday's 119-108 loss to the Pelicans.

Impact Smith struggled from the field in this one as the Rockets lost to one of the best teams in the Western Conference, but he still posted his fourth double-double since the beginning of December. The rookie has improved as the season has progressed and is averaging 11.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in his last 10 contests.

JANUARY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Serviceable effort Thursday Smith finished with 16 points (7-13 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, one assist and one steal over 27 minutes during Thursday's 129-114 loss to the Mavericks.

Impact Smith cobbled together a serviceable performance despite the loss, scoring in double digits for the fourth time in his last five games. After a slow start to his NBA career, Smith has slowly been able to figure things out, flirting with top-100 value over the past month. With the Rockets going nowhere fast, his role should stick moving forward, making him a viable asset across all fantasy formats.

DECEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Multiple career highs Smith totaled 24 points (10-17 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists and one block over 34 minutes during Friday's 112-106 loss to the Mavericks.

Impact Smith had arguably the best game of his rookie season Friday. The 2022 No. 3 pick posted a career high in points and assists while posting his sixth double-double.

DECEMBER 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Posts double-double in loss Smith ended with 15 points (6-14 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist and one steal in 32 minutes during Thursday's 111-108 loss to Miami.

Impact The rookie has struggled in his first taste of NBA action compared to other first-year players. but he might be showing signs of a turnaround with two double-doubles over his last five outings and four double-digit scoring performances in that span. He still needs to get used to the pace of the game and his shooting figures remain below par, but Smith seems to be trending in the right direction. The former Auburn standout is averaging 13.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game in December.

DECEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Listed available to play Smith (illness) is listed as available for Thursday's game against Miami.

Impact The rookie popped up on the injury report due to an illness, and coach Stephen Silas said he'd be a game-time decision. However, the Rockets' updated report lists Smith as "available." This may be a situation to monitor, given that the two reports came out within a 20-minute span, but as of now, it appears that Smith will be able to take the floor.

DECEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ready to roll Thursday Smith (illness) will be available for Thursday's game versus the Heat.

Impact Despite a recent report suggesting Smith would be a game-time decision, the team has listed the rookie first-round pick as available for the evening's tilt. Smith should retain his starting spot Thursday and log his usual workload, assuming the bug doesn't cause further issues.

DECEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Game-time call Thursday Coach Stephen Silas said Smith (illness) will be a game-time decision for Thursday's tilt against the Heat, Jackson Gatlin of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.

Impact Smith was added to the injury report early Thursday due to a non-COVID illness. However, it seems like fantasy managers will have to wait until closer to tipoff to get a final ruling on the rookie's status. If Smith were to sit, Kenyon Martin and Tari Eason would be slated to receive extended action.

DECEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable with illness Smith is questionable for Thursday's matchup against the Heat due to an illness.

Impact Smith has turned things around since mid-November, with the rookie averaging 14.2 points on 45/44/85 shooting over his past 13 appearances. If he sits out Thursday, it will be just his second absence. More minutes could be in store for Kenyon Martin and Tari Eason.

DECEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Goes for career-high 23 points Smith produced 23 points (9-13 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds and one block across 34 minutes during Thursday's 118-109 loss to the Spurs.

Impact Smith nailed four triples en route to a career-high 23 points Thursday, continuing his recent productive stretch. After a well-documented slow start to the season, Smith has been a borderline top-70 player over the past two weeks. Even more encouraging is the fact that he has been able to slide up the rankings despite low defensive contributions. The path to minutes is clear, and after a rocky start, managers have to be thrilled with the current situation.

DECEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Double-doubles in OT victory Smith provided 16 points (3-8 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 7-9 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist and one block across 39 minutes during Monday's 132-123 double-overtime victory over Philadelphia.

Impact Smith okayed a career-high 39 minutes in the win, racking up the fourth double-double of his young career. After what can only be described as a rough start to the season, Smith has been able to turn things around of late, putting up top 70 numbers over the past two weeks. His shooting remains an issue but the fact he is a mid-round talent despite shooting just 45 percent from the floor, is a real positive.

DECEMBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Solid from field in win Smith racked up 17 points (7-12 FG, 3-5 3Pt), six rebounds, one block and one steal over 30 minutes during Friday's 122-121 victory over Phoenix.

Impact Smith was solid in the first half, knocking down four of eight shot attempts for 10 points to go along with three rebounds, one steal and a block. The Rockets forward only attempted four more shots over the final two quarters, hitting three of them for another seven points as Houston narrowly came away with the victory to snap the Suns' six-game winning streak. Smith has now scored 15 or more points in four of his last six games while also hitting at least three three-pointers in six straight.

DECEMBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

How Rockets can get the best from Jabari Smith Jr. offensively: 'Sky's the limit for him' 'We need the work that he's putting in now,' says Rockets coach Stephen Silas of Jabari Smith's learning process.

NOVEMBER 30, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Notches double-double in win Smith had 15 points (5-11 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 13 rebounds and one block over 31 minutes during Saturday's 118-105 victory over the Thunder.

Impact Smith nearly had a double-double in the first half, knocking down three of six shots for 11 points to go along with nine rebounds. He added another three boards in the third quarter but hit just two more shots in the second half for four points as the Rockets kept the Thunder at bay. It was Smith's third double-double of the season and his fourth time recording double-digit rebounds.

NOVEMBER 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Vecenie's NBA Rookie Rankings: Banchero building All-Star case; Kessler surprises Many players have stood out for one reason or another. On one side, there's the No. 1 overall pick. On the other, Jabari Smith Jr.

NOVEMBER 23, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Scores career-high 22 points Smith accumulated 22 points (8-14 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds and one assist over 32 minutes during Sunday's 127-120 loss to Golden State.

Impact The highly touted rookie struggled in the opening weeks of the season, but this was the perfect example of what he can do when his shots are falling. For the most part, Smith has been inefficient and inconsistent, shooting just 33.3 percent from the field and 30.2 percent from three on the year. His efficiency has been slightly better of late, though he's still difficult to justify starting in most standard leagues. Long-term, Smith has plenty of potential, and he should improve as the year goes along, but he's endured a rocky first month in the NBA.

NOVEMBER 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

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LeBron James scores season-high 48 Pts in Lakers win vs. Rockets | UNDISPUTED