Rockets F Jabari Smith Jr. out 4-8 weeks with hand fracture

Field Level Media|published: Fri 3rd January, 21:12 2025

Dec 29, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr (10) leaves the court following the game against the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images

The Houston Rockets could be without forward Jabari Smith Jr. through February after the forward came away from a shootaround Friday with a fractured left hand.

Winners in five of their past seven games, the Rockets were making final preparations for a Friday night home game against the Boston Celtics when Smith was injured.

According to Houston head coach Ime Udoka, Smith will miss at least four weeks and as many as eight.

Smith, 21, is averaging 11.9 points and 6.5 rebounds in 33 games (all starts) for the Rockets this season. In three NBA seasons, he has averaged 13.0 points with 7.4 rebounds in 188 games (all starts) after he was the third overall draft pick in 2022 out of Auburn.

--Field Level Media