The Houston Rockets played Philadelphia on Friday without both of their starting forwards. Dillon Brooks (right oblique strain) was injured in Tuesday’s loss to Indiana, and Jabari Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain) suffered his own injury in Wednesday’s loss to Phoenix.
The Rockets didn’t initially indicate either player would miss time with his injury. Team doctors apparently needed to examine advanced imaging results to learn the extent of each injury.
At Friday’s pregame media session, Udoka offered new insight on the status of each injured player. It appears neither injury is considered long term. Via Adam Wexler of SportsTalk 790, the team’s official flagship radio station, here’s what Udoka told reporters:
Ime Udoka said he didn’t want to give an exact date for the return of Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) and Dillon Brooks (oblique), but thinks they should both be shorter term, maybe a week or so. But again, no definitive timetable for their return.
The good news for the Rockets (15-14) is that after Friday, they have only one game in the next four days: Monday against the woeful Pistons (2-29), who have an NBA-record losing streak of 28 straight games. That could give Houston an opportunity to be conservative with any injuries before the schedule picks up again in the latter part of next week.
For however long Brooks and Smith are sidelined, reserve forwards Jae’Sean Tate, Tari Eason, Jeff Green and Cam Whitmore are among those who are likely to see increased minutes for the Rockets.
Tate and Green will replace Brooks and Smith in the starting lineup, since Eason (lower left leg soreness) remains on a minutes limitation of approximately 25 per game, according to Udoka.
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Ime Udoka said Jae'Sean Tate and Jeff Green will start in place of Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith Jr, who are out the next 2-3 games. The Rockets have Tari Eason on a 25 minute limit, so he will continue to come off the bench
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) December 29, 2023