Smith chipped in seven points (2-12 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists, three blocks and two steals in 34 minutes during Saturday's 117-114 victory over Detroit.
Smith turned in a dreadful shooting line and hit only 16.7 percent of his attempts from the field. He was able to make up for it by snagging 12 boards, which marks his best night on the glass since Jan. 4. Smith also continues to make an impact at the rim by swatting away at least one shot in each of his last four games.
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Rockets' Jabari Smith: Will play, have minutes monitored
Rotowire
Smith (ankle) will play Wednesday against the Wizards and will have his minutes monitored, Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston reports.
The rookie returns following a two-game absence due to a sprained right ankle. He'll presumably rejoin the starting five, pushing Tari Eason back to the bench, though fantasy managers shouldn't expect Smith to see too big of a workload. This month, the forward is averaging 11.8 points on 40/21/73 shooting, 6.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 28.7 minutes.
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Rockets' Jabari Smith: Questionable to play Wednesday
Rotowire
Smith (ankle) is questionable to play Wednesday against the Wizards, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports.
The rookie hopes to return from a two-game absence due to a right ankle sprain. Smith is averaging 11.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game in January, and if he can't go against Washington, then Tari Eason would probably remain in the starting unit.
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Rockets' Jabari Smith: Hopes to play Wednesday
Rotowire
Smith (ankle) said Tuesday that he hope's to play in Wednesday's contest against the Wizards, Adam Spolane of Sports Radio 610 Houston reports.
The rookie sat out Monday's game, marking a second straight absence, due to a right ankle sprain. However, it appears he was able to practice Tuesday and will attempt to suit up Wednesday. Further clarity on his availability will surface when Houston releases its next injury report.
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Rockets' Jabari Smith: Out Monday
Rotowire
Smith (ankle) is out for Monday's contest against the Timberwolves, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.
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.
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Rockets' Jabari Smith: Questionable Monday
Rotowire
Smith (ankle) is questionable for Monday's game against the Timberwolves.
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.
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Rockets' Jabari Smith: Out Saturday
Rotowire
Smith (ankle) is out for Saturday's game against the Timberwolves, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports.
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.
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Rockets' Jabari Smith: Listed as doubtful
Rotowire
Smith (ankle) is officially doubtful for Saturday's meeting with the Timberwolves.
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.
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Rockets' Jabari Smith: Won't play Saturday
Rotowire
Smith (ankle) will miss Saturday's game versus the Timberwolves, Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston reports.
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.
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Rockets' Jabari Smith: Ruled out Wednesday
Rotowire
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.
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.
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Rockets' Jabari Smith: Posts career-best scoring night
Rotowire
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.
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.
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Rockets' Jabari Smith: Posts double-double in loss
Rotowire
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Rockets' Jabari Smith: Multiple career highs
Rotowire
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.
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.
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Rockets' Jabari Smith: Posts double-double in loss
Rotowire
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.
Smith has struggled in his first taste of NBA action compared to other first-year players. But the rookie 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. 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.
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Rockets' Jabari Smith: Listed available to play
Rotowire
Smith (illness) is listed as available for Thursday's game against Miami.
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.
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Rockets' Jabari Smith: Ready to roll Thursday
Rotowire
Smith (illness) will be available for Thursday's game versus the Heat.
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.
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Rockets' Jabari Smith: Game-time call Thursday
Rotowire
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.
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.
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Rockets' Jabari Smith: Goes for career-high 23 points
Rotowire
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.
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.
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Rockets' Jabari Smith: Double-doubles in OT victory
Rotowire
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.
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 turned 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.
