2025 Mar 15, 00:38
The Houston Rockets suffered another blow to their frontcourt on Wednesday night, as Jabari Smith Jr. went down with a left ankle sprain in their loss to the Phoenix Suns. With Dillon Brooks already sidelined with a right oblique strain, the Rockets are now without both of their usual starting forwards. Head coach Ime Udoka provided a postgame update stating that there is no projected return timetable for either player at this time
For Smith, the injury is particularly unfortunate as he had been on a hot streak in recent games. Over his last four outings, the 20-year-old had been averaging an impressive 22.8 points on 57.7% shooting from the field and 45.0% from beyond the arc, along with 9.5 rebounds in 35.9 minutes per game. In the absence of Brooks and Smith, Jae’Sean Tate and Tari Eason are expected to see an increase in their playing time. Both players typically serve as backups to the starting forwards. With the status of their starting frontcourt uncertain, the Rockets will have a tough task ahead of them when they take on the Philadelphia 76ers at home on Friday
Houston currently holds a record of 15-14, while Philadelphia boasts an impressive 21-9 record.