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Second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason are being shut down by the Rockets for the remainder of the NBA’s 2023 summer league in Las Vegas, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic.
Houston’s duo of 2022 first-round draft prospects excelled on both offense and defense. In a 2-0 start, Smith averaged 35.5 points (48.8% FG, 33.3% on 3-pointers), 7 rebounds and 4 assists in 32.2 minutes, while Eason tallied 23 points (48.7% FG, 36.4% on 3-pointers), 9.5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks in 31.3 minutes.
That type of production, however, could also indicate they have little left to prove or gain from playing in summer-league exhibitions. The Rockets, in particular, could be sensitive to any injury risk after losing prized rookie point guard Amen Thompson to a Grade 2 left ankle sprain in Friday’s summer-league opener.
If Smith and Eason sit out, along with Thompson, expect rookie Cam Whitmore and young forward Darius Days (on a two-way contract with the Rockets) to take on larger roles in Houston’s game plans moving forward. The summer Rockets return to action with Tuesday’s matchup versus Oklahoma City, with tipoff set for 5:30 p.m. Central in a game televised nationally on NBA TV.
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Rockets second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason likely done playing in summer league, sources tell @TheAthletic. Smith averaged 35.5 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists over first two games. Eason averaged 23 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4 assists.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) July 10, 2023