Rockets coach Ime Udoka said in comments ahead of Monday’s road finale in Washington that Jabari Smith Jr. is still expected to rejoin Houston’s starting lineup later this week.
“That’s the plan,” Udoka said (via ClutchFans) when asked if Thursday’s home game against the Golden State Warriors is a target for Smith’s return.
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Smith sprained his right ankle in a Feb. 26 win over Orlando, the first game of Houston’s current three-game road trip. Udoka said in post-match comments that early indications were that this was not a major injury.
The fourth-year forward then missed Saturday’s loss at Miami and Monday’s game against the Wizards (statistics) , giving Smith a full week off before the Rockets open their home court Thursday night.
Thursday’s game against the Golden State Warriors (31-29) is a rematch of last season’s first-round Western Conference playoff series, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Smith and the Rockets put this game on their calendar. In fact, this is the first time the Warriors are playing in Houston since their decisive Game 7 victory last May.
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As for Smith, the 22-year-old is enjoying a breakout season, posting career highs in scoring (15.5 points per game), overall field goal percentage (45.5 percent), three-point field goal percentage (36.8 percent) and true shooting percentage (57.4 percent).
In Monday’s pregame interview, Udoka said Houston “probably” returns to its previous starting lineup, with Smith, Alperon Sengung and Kevin Durant in the frontcourt and Amen Thompson and Tari Eason in the backcourt.
Sophomore guard Reed Sheppard, who typically serves as Houston’s backup sixth man, started two games in Smith’s absence. However, this configuration leaves the Rockets’ front line smaller, and Houston struggled to handle Miami’s big men in Saturday’s loss.
Houston (37-22) enters the week ranked third in the Western Conference standings.
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This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets expect Jabari Smith Jr. (sprained ankle) to return for next game
