Rockets ahead Jabari Smith Jr. is focusing on a February 21 return from the hand harm that has sidelined him since early January, reports NBA Chris Haynes.
Assuming Smith hits that focus on date, he can be again in motion for Houston’s first sport after the All-Star break, at house vs. the Timberwolves. Nonetheless, agent Wallace Prather offered a extra conservative timeline for his consumer’s return, telling Haynes, “We’re focusing on the top of the month.”
Smith has missed Houston’s previous 20 video games after fracturing his left hand in the course of the group’s shootaround on January 3 forward of a matchup with Boston. Previous to that harm, he had performed a significant half within the Rockets’ early-season success, beginning the primary 33 video games of the season for a group that acquired 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 dropping streak on Sunday in opposition to 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.
Will probably be attention-grabbing 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.
