Advertisement

Jabari Smith Jr. to undergo surgery?

.
.

David Hardisty: Ime Udoka says he is not sure if Jabari Smith Jr. will have surgery just yet. "He's looking at options."

Source: Twitter @clutchfans

What's the buzz on Twitter?

David Hardisty @clutchfans

Ime Udoka says he is not sure if Jabari Smith Jr. will have surgery just yet. "He's looking at options." - 5:37 PM

Mike Trudell @LakersReporter

The Lakers haven't had an answer for Amen Thompson, getting the start due to Jabari Smith's injury, especially in transition. He has 15 points on 7 of 10 FG's, all of his buckets coming at LA's rim.

HOU is shooting 60% to LA's 42% and lead 52-32 midway through the 2nd Q. - 7:56 PM

Mike Trudell @LakersReporter

Rockets coach Ime Udoka said Tari Eason will remain out tonight against the Lakers. Jabari Smith is also out.

Expecting Amen Thompson to start in Smith’s spot. - 5:19 PM

More on this storyline

On paper, the Boston Celtics had already made 17 3s, just one shy of their season average with nearly three-quarters of a quarter to go. By comparison, the Houston Rockets had converted only nine. But Friday night’s dismal showing — a lopsided 109-86 loss to the reigning champs — was yet another painful reminder of the offensive shortcomings augmented by a lack of bodies, a lack of cohesion and, ultimately, a lack of an efficient, modern system. “I’m going to be honest,” veteran Jeff Green said. “It’s tough with Jabari (Smith Jr.) going down. He’s a vital piece of what we do. It’s going to take some time for us to get used to the rotations, who’s out on the floor, because of what he brought to the team. So collectively, we need to do our part in making each other look good, but we have to do it as a committee. We have to go out there, share the ball and play more together. And that’s going to take some time, but with the personnel and coaches we have, we’ll figure out something.” -via New York Times / January 4, 2025

David Hardisty: Jabari Smith Jr. is also out tonight. He broke his left hand today. He will be re-evaluated in 4-8 weeks. -via Twitter @clutchfans / January 3, 2025

The Rockets (17-9) still don’t have a player averaging 20 points. They were led by Amen Thompson’s 19 off the bench. Dillon Brooks, who spent portions of the game guarding his Team Canada teammate Gilgeous-Alexander, finished with 14 points, as did Jabari Smith Jr. Houston shot just 36.5 percent from the field as a team (35-96). Fred VanVleet, the lone Rockets player to win an NBA championship, struggled to the tune of 3-of-15 shooting and 1-of-11 on 3s. “Sometimes, it comes down to making shots,” Houston coach Ime Udoka said. “Individuals gotta shoot the ball a little bit better. We were in a good spot, but you put a lot of pressure on your defense when you’re not making shots.” -via New York Times / December 15, 2024

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Jabari Smith Jr. to undergo surgery?