Rockets ahead Jabari Smith Jr. is concentrating on a February 21 return from the hand damage that has sidelined him since early January, reports NBA Chris Haynes.
Assuming Smith hits that concentrate on date, he can be again in motion for Houston’s first sport after the All-Star break, at residence vs. the Timberwolves. Nevertheless, agent Wallace Prather supplied a extra conservative timeline for his shopper’s return, telling Haynes, “We’re concentrating on the top of the month.”
Smith has missed Houston’s previous 20 video games after fracturing his left hand through the workforce’s shootaround on January 3 forward of a matchup with Boston. Previous to that damage, he had performed a serious half within the Rockets’ early-season success, beginning the primary 33 video games of the season for a workforce that obtained off to a 22-11 begin.
Smith has averaged 11.9 factors, 6.5 rebounds and 1.0 block in 30.9 minutes per sport when wholesome, with a taking pictures line of .435/.354/.867. Since he went down, the membership has gone simply 11-9, having simply snapped a six-game shedding streak on Sunday towards Toronto.
Amen Thompson has taken over Smith’s spot within the beginning lineup since Jan. 5 and has thrived in that new function, placing up 17.1 factors, 9.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.5 blocks per sport in his previous 18 video games as a starter.
It is going to be fascinating to see which participant is the odd man out of that beginning 5 when Smith returns. The previous No. 3 total decide hasn’t come off the bench in any of his first 188 NBA outings.
