Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. to return Friday after missing 22 games
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. will make his return on Friday at Toyota Center against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Smith missed the last 22 games after he was sidelined Jan. 3 with a broken bone in his non-shooting hand, suffered during shootaround from what he described as a “freak type of accident.”
Rockets guard Fred VanVleet, out since Feb 1 with an ankle injury, is a game-time decision on Friday. Rockets coach Ime Udoka said he has not decided on a starting lineup for Friday’s game, which is Houston’s first since the All-Star break.
Rockets second-year guard Amen Thompson took Smith’s place in the starting lineup and the Rockets have rotated different players to fill VanVleet’s spot.
On Thursday, Smith said he would be fine coming off the bench if that’s what Udoka decides.
Danielle Lerner is a sports enterprise reporter at the Houston Chronicle who covers the Rockets, Astros and a variety of sports.
She previously covered college basketball for The Daily Memphian, The Athletic and the Louisville Courier Journal. A true utility player, she has also written about professional soccer, horse racing, college football and college baseball. Her work has been honored by APSE and SPJ.
A native Californian, Lerner spends her free time being active outdoors and exploring Houston’s taco scene.
