Inside The Rockets

Rockets' Ime Udoka Explains Jabari Smith Jr. Injury

Jabari Smith Jr. will be out for the Houston Rockets for a while.

Jeremy Brener

Jan 1, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) dunks the ball as Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) defends during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Jan 1, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) dunks the ball as Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) defends during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
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The Houston Rockets received some unfortunate news ahead of their loss against the Boston Celtics at home on Friday night.

Third-year pro Jabari Smith Jr. fractured his hand, which will keep him out for at least a month as he nurses it to good health.

Rockets head coach Ime Udoka spoke about the injury before the game.

"At some point in practice he got hit on the hand...very minimal," Udoka said via SportsRadio 610 reporter Adam Spolane. "Pain got worse, interviewed with you guys after (it happened), and it was getting worse throughout (the day), and got it looked at, checked, and found it."

Smith, 21, is averaging 11.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per game for the Rockets this season. His ability to shoot 3-pointers and defend the perimeter will be sorely missed for the Rockets while he is off the court.

"I think his shooting had been an upswing lately," Udoka said. "Started off a little cold at the start of season, but it's been much better lately, and then the versatility on defense that he brings, and when we go small with him at the five gives us a different look and impact in the game.

"He had been much better, obviously, in last 10 or so games, and so sucks to see this could happen at this time."

The Rockets are back in action tomorrow against the Los Angeles Lakers at 6 p.m. CT.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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