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

VanVleet scores 37 as surging Rockets beat sliding Heat 102-98

Fred VanVleet scored 37 points and the surging Houston Rockets won their ninth straight, beating the Miami Heat 102-98

MARCH 22, 2025 • Associated Press

Rockets' Jabari Smith makes unsurprising March Madness prediction | Sporting News Rockets star Jabari Smith took a predictable stance on the upcoming NCAA Tournament, showing where his allegiances lie.

MARCH 18, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Scores season-high 30 points Smith posted 30 points (11-17 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 3-4 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and two steals across 39 minutes during Monday's 144-137 overtime victory over the 76ers.

Impact Smith has been alternating between the starting lineup and a bench role since mid-February, and it's undeniable that this was his best game of the season -- not only off the bench but in general since he established a new season-high mark in scoring. The lack of consistency in his role limits Smith's upside in most formats, but he should remain a decent option, at least as a streaming alternative in most formats.

MARCH 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Green, Smith each score 30, Rockets extend win streak to 7 games with 144-137 OT victory over 76ers

Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. had 30 points apiece and the Houston Rockets rallied for a 144-137 overtime victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night, extending their se...

MARCH 18, 2025 • Associated Press

Returning to bench Smith isn't in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the 76ers, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.

Impact Smith has fluctuated between a starting and bench role since mid-February, and he'll shift yet again Monday after drawing the start Saturday against the Bulls. The Auburn product has found success as a reserve, finishing in double figures in three of his last four appearances off the bench.

MARCH 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Jalen Green scores 28 and the Rockets down the Bulls 117-114

Jalen Green scored 28 points and the Houston Rockets extended their winning streak to six straight games with a 117-114 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night

MARCH 16, 2025 • Associated Press

Back in starting role Smith is in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Bulls, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.

Impact The Rockets will be without Tari Eason due to left lower leg injury management, so Smith will be promoted to the starting lineup as a result. Smith was a regular in the first months of the season but has returned to the bench after recovering from a hand injury. He's averaging 11.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game in a starting role this season.

MARCH 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Jabari Smith Jr.: In winning streak, Rockets responding to pressure of 2025 playoff chase With five straight wins, the Rockets (42-25) have risen to the No. 3 seed in the West, and Jabari Smith Jr. says they are responding to the...

MARCH 15, 2025 • USATODAY.COM

Moving to bench role Smith is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Suns, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Smith will return to the bench due to the presence of Fred VanVleet (ankle) in the starting lineup. Smith has played off the bench in five of his previous 10 contests, averaging 12.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game.

MARCH 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Leads charge in Monday's win Smith had 20 points (5-13 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 5-7 FT), seven rebounds and one block in 32 minutes during Monday's 97-84 win over the Magic.

Impact The third-year forward got the start with Amen Thompson (ankle) sidelined, and Smith led a balanced Rockets attack in scoring as four different starters supplied between 14 and 20 points. It was his best offensive showing since he dropped 21 points on the Hornets just before Christmas, and Monday's five made three-pointers tied his career high. Smith has scored in double digits in five straight games (three starts), averaging 14.6 points, 6.8 boards and 2.4 threes over that stretch.

MARCH 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Strong defense carries Rockets past Magic Jabari Smith Jr.scored a team-high 20 points, Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams recorded double-doubles, and the Houston Rockets turned a stif...

MARCH 11, 2025 • THESTATE.COM

Jabari Smith Jr. stars as the Rockets beat the Magic 97-84 for 3rd straight win

Jabari Smith Jr. had 20 points and tied a career high with five 3-pointers, helping the Houston Rockets beat the Orlando Magic 97-84 for their third consecutive victory

MARCH 11, 2025 • Associated Press

Drops 16 off bench Thursday Smith racked up 16 points (6-13 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 2-4 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one block in 28 minutes off the bench during Thursday's 109-97 win over the Pelicans.

Impact After starting the last two contests, Smith shifted back to the second unit Thursday but came through with his best scoring performance in eight games since returning from a fractured left hand after the All-Star break. The third-year forward is averaging 10.5 points, 7.3 boards and 1.5 threes in 30.6 minutes since rejoining the lineup, and he'll likely continue floating between the starting five and the bench as the Rockets try to find the best spot for him in the rotation.

MARCH 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Jabari Smith Jr. (16 points) Highlights vs. New Orleans Pelicans l Houston Rockets

MARCH 7, 2025 • YOUTUBE

Shifting to bench Smith will come off the bench Thursday against the Pelicans, Ben DuBose of USA Today reports.

Impact The Rockets will elect to roll with Tari Eason at power forward Thursday, bumping Smith to the bench. The Auburn product should still play a key role in the rotation, hitting the 30-minute mark in two of his last three matchups as a reserve.

MARCH 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Monday vs. OKC Smith is in the Rockets' starting lineup against the Thunder on Monday, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.

Impact Four of the Rockets' five starters against the Kings on Saturday are not playing Monday, so Smith will reenter the starting lineup alongside Jalen Green, Reed Sheppard, Cam Whitmore and Jock Landale. Smith has averaged 9.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 0.8 assists over 30.4 minutes per game in his five games since returning from a hand fracture.

MARCH 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Houston Rockets Ime Udoka makes tough decision Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka made a difficult decision on what the starting lineup will look like with the recent returns of Jabari...

MARCH 2, 2025 • THENEWSTRIBUNE.COM

Sliding to bench Saturday Head coach Ime Udoka said Friday that Smith will operate off the bench in Saturday's game against the Kings, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact With Fred VanVleet (ankle) expected to reclaim his role in the starting five on Saturday, Smith will slide to the bench. The 21-year-old forward should still see significant playing time in the second unit, though the Rockets will stick with Amen Thompson in the starting lineup for the time being. Over his last four outings (two starts) following a 22-game absence due to a fractured hand, Smith has averaged 10.0 points and 7.3 rebounds in 33.0 minutes per contest.

FEBRUARY 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Back in starting lineup Smith will start Wednesday's game against the Spurs, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Smith had started in just one of his three appearances since returning from a month-long absence and will be back in the starting lineup Wednesday in place of Tari Eason (Tari Eason). During that stretch, he's averaged 10.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists across 33.3 minutes.

FEBRUARY 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Notches 13 points Smith logged 13 points (4-10 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT) and eight rebounds across 33 minutes during Tuesday's 100-97 win over Milwaukee.

Impact Playing in just his third game since returning from an extended injury absence, Smith shifted to the bench for this game with Tari Eason getting the starting nod. Houston's lineup may not be set in stone going forward, as the team is waiting to get Fred VanVleet (ankle) back from his injury. Plus, they will likely be looking to find a way to keep Amen Thompson heavily involved in what has been a breakout season for the forward. With that in mind, Smith's upside may not be as high as it was prior to his injury.

FEBRUARY 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Shifts to second unit Smith will come off the bench in Tuesday's matchup against Milwaukee, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Tari Eason will supplant Smith in the starting five for the first half of the club's back-to-back set. The 21-year-old forward has appeared in two consecutive contests (one start) following a 22-game absence due to a fractured hand, during which he has accumulated 16 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and one block across 67 total minutes.

FEBRUARY 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles against Utah Smith produced three points (1-8 FG, 1-5 3Pt), two rebounds and one assist across 29 minutes during Saturday's 124-115 loss to the Jazz.

Impact In just his second game back from a 22-game absence due to fractured right hand, Smith was inserted into the Rockets' starting lineup due to the absence of Tari Eason (lower leg injury management). Smith struggled to get anything going during Saturday's loss, missing on all but one of his eight field-goal attempts while finishing with a minus-10 point differential, which was tied with Jalen Green for worst on the team. Smith and the Rockets will look to bounce back against the Bucks on Tuesday.

FEBRUARY 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Starting vs. Utah Smith is in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Jazz, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.

Impact Smith returned from a 22-game absence in Friday's win over the Timberwolves, posting 15 points (5-9 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), nine rebounds, two assists and one block across 38 minutes off the bench, and he's back in the starting lineup due to the absence of Tari Eason (lower leg injury management). Smith has started in all but one of his 34 games this season, so he's likely to remain in the starting five for good now that he's healthy and back from the left hand fracture he suffered on Jan. 1.

FEBRUARY 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Gets huge minutes off bench Smith (hand) tallied 15 points (5-9 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), nine rebounds, two assists and one block across 38 minutes in Friday's 121-115 win over the Timberwolves.

Impact Smith had started in each of his previous 188 NBA games, but the Rockets brought the 21-year-old power forward off the bench for the first time in his career after he had missed the previous 22 contests while recovering from a fractured left hand. Despite coming off the bench, Smith was operating with no restrictions, as he ranked third on the team in minutes and turned in an efficient scoring performance. Considering he had averaged 30.9 minutes per game for the season prior to getting hurt, Smith's 38-minute workload from Friday shouldn't be considered the new norm. However, Smith is likely to eventually take back his starting spot from Tari Eason, which could happen as soon as the Rockets' game in Utah on Saturday. Eason will be a candidate to sit out the second leg of the back-to-back set for lower leg injury management.

FEBRUARY 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Jabari Smith Jr. (15 points) Highlights vs. Minnesota Timberwolves l Houston Rockets

FEBRUARY 22, 2025 • YOUTUBE

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VanVleet scores 37 as surging Rockets beat sliding Heat 102-98

Green, Smith each score 30, Rockets extend win streak to 7 games with 144-137 OT victory over 76ers

Jalen Green scores 28 and the Rockets down the Bulls 117-114

Jabari Smith Jr. stars as the Rockets beat the Magic 97-84 for 3rd straight win