In an awful season by record, one of the lone bright spots of late for the struggling Houston Rockets has been improved play by Jabari Smith Jr., their top rookie (No. 3 overall) from the first round of the NBA’s 2022 draft class. Now, his status appears to be in doubt.
Smith left early in Wednesday’s loss to Charlotte — Houston’s 12th in a row, the longest by any team in the league during the 2022-23 season — after turning his right ankle in the third quarter.
After staying down for a few moments, Smith grimaced and stayed in to shoot the resulting two free throws. However, the Rockets then committed a foul to allow him to leave the game, and he quickly hobbled into the Toyota Center tunnel. Within minutes, he was ruled out for the rest of the game, which rapidly spiraled out of Houston’s control.
Smith entered Wednesday averaging 12.1 points and 7.0 rebounds in 29.9 minutes per game during his rookie season.
Smith missed approximately two weeks after spraining his left ankle in the preseason. This injury, however, is to his right ankle. Smith’s injury is the second current issue for a starter with the Rockets, who remain without Kevin Porter Jr. due to a left foot contusion.
There was no postgame update regarding Smith’s status or return timetable moving forward. The Rockets next play on Saturday night in Minnesota, with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central.
Per #Rockets Jabari Smith Jr. (Right Ankle Sprain) is out for the remainder of tonight’s game.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) January 19, 2023
Jabari limping off the court is a reminder that indeed, it can always get worse.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 19, 2023
