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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Brian Barefield

Reaction: Jabari Smith Jr. delivers epic buzzer-beater in Houston’s summer opener

Jabari Smith Jr Jabari Smith Houston (Organization) Tari Eason Rockets Adam Spolane Bradeaux JaeSean Tate NBA

Houston Rockets second-year forward Jabari Smith Jr. never looks to be afraid of any big moment. He thrives off pressure, which fuels him to become a better player.

In March 2023, in a game late in the NBA’s 2022-23 regular season against the New Orleans Pelicans, the Rockets were down by one point with four seconds left on the clock.

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As teammate Jae’Sean Tate looked at his first and second options, which were Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr., both were guarded. Tate had to go to the third option on the play, which was Smith.

As time ticked off the clock, Smith rose above his defender and nailed the 3-point basket, giving Houston the victory. During his post-game press conference, Smith said he felt like he was playing a video game the way things transpired towards the end of the game.

The results on Friday night in Las Vegas were the same, although the circumstances were slightly different than in March.

In the summer-league opener, Houston trailed the Portland Trail Blazers, 99-97, with 0.6 seconds left in the game. Second-year forward Tari Eason took the ball out on the sideline beyond halfcourt and was looking for the only option on the play, which was Smith.

With an overhead pass, Eason put the ball in a spot where only Smith could catch it. He did, and Smith knocked down a game-winning shot to give the Rockets a 100-99 victory at summer league.

Smith finished with a game-high 33 points, scoring 29 in the second half after a rough start to the game in which he went 1-for-6 from the field and scored only four points in the first half.

Houston will be back in action on Sunday as they take on Detorit at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Tipoff is at 6:00 p.m. Central, and it will be televised on ESPN2.

For now, here’s a look back at Friday’s heroics.

Jabari Smith Jr. reaction

 

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