Tag: Jabari Smith Jr.

In aftermath of fight, NBA suspends Houston’s Jabari Smith Jr. for Monday’s game vs. Portland

In the aftermath of Saturday’s physical altercation, the NBA suspended Utah’s Kris Dunn for two games and Houston’s Jabari Smith Jr. for one.

The NBA suspended Utah Jazz guard Kris Dunn for two games and Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. for one, citing their roles in an on-court altercation during Saturday’s game in Houston.

Smith will miss Monday’s home game versus Portland. Veteran Jeff Green is his likely replacement in Houston’s starting lineup.

From the league’s announcement:

Dunn was suspended two games without pay for initiating an altercation and throwing a punch at Smith Jr., who was suspended one game for fighting with Dunn, it was announced by Joe Dumars, executive vice president and head of basketball operations (for the NBA).

The incident, for which both were assessed technical fouls and ejected, occurred with 11:55 remaining in the second quarter of the Rockets’ 147-119 win over Utah.

Dunn will begin to serve his suspension on Monday, when the Jazz host Dallas. Smith Jr. will serve his suspension that night when the Rockets host Portland.

Extended video of the exchange can be viewed below, along with postgame comments by Dunn (audio) on his perspective. Smith was not made available to reporters by the Rockets, though he did react with “Lol” on social media shortly after Sunday’s announcement.

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After sluggish start, Rockets find inspiration from Ime Udoka

“He told us to wake up,” Jabari Smith Jr. says of Ime Udoka’s halftime message in Washington. “We had to come with a sense of urgency, and we did that.”

WASHINGTON — Houston head coach Ime Udoka looked disgusted as his team headed to the locker room for Tuesday’s halftime. Yes, the Rockets (33-35) held a narrow lead on the road versus the short-handed Wizards (11-58), but that wasn’t why he was so frustrated.

He watched his team allow the lowly Wizards to shoot 45.5% (10-for-22) from 3-point range, which kept Washington in the game.

Udoka has become known for his tough, no-nonsense approach with players this season, and that didn’t change when he got them into the locker room on Tuesday night. He held them longer than usual, ensuring his message resonated throughout the room.

Even so, the message didn’t seem to hit home until the Wizards took their first lead of the game, courtesy of a 27-foot shot from Patrick Baldwin Jr. (a 3-pointer). As the Rockets called timeout, Udoka received a technical foul for arguing with referee Tom Washington.

“My message was, we are playing with the game, messing around with the game,” Udoka said when asked about his halftime speech. “We were scoring at a high enough clip, but we have to guard. We didn’t come out great; I got a technical, and they went up on us.”

Still upset by that previous referee interaction, Udoka addressed his team again during the timeout and reminded them Washington wasn’t going to roll over because they were short-handed.

That message seemed to finally turn the light on for the young Rockets, as they used the last 9:25 of the third quarter to regain their dominance over the Wizards. In all, Houston outscored Washington, 39-16, to take a commanding 101-82 lead into the final period.

“We didn’t come out great, but we flipped it from there,” Udoka said. “Maybe my technical help them get that motivation going. We finally turned it around after a slow start coming out.”

With the game tied and 6:36 left in the third quarter, Wizards coach Brian Keefe watched Houston increase its intensity by getting stops on defense and turning the misses and turnovers into points.

“We made a lot of coverage mistakes, but it was really the last six minutes of the third quarter,” Keefe said when asked how the game got out of hand. “That game was back and forth until that point.”

After regaining their composure, the trio of Jalen Green (42 points, 10 rebounds), Amen Thompson (25 points, 10 rebounds) and Jabari Smith Jr. (18 points, 14 rebounds) contributed double-doubles to help the Rockets win their sixth consecutive game. Thompson’s scoring total set a career high, while Green tied his personal best.

“He told us to wake up,” Jabari Smith Jr. told Rockets Wire about Udoka’s halftime message. “It was a mutual thing because everyone knew it. We had to come with a sense of urgency, and we did that. It is how you have to approach it, and that is how we went about it.”

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With Alperen Sengun out, Jabari Smith Jr., Jock Landale stepping up in frontcourt for Rockets

The Rockets haven’t lost a game since Alperen Sengun’s injury, and improved play from Jabari Smith Jr. and Jock Landale is a big reason for it.

With star center Alperen Sengun likely out for the remainder of the NBA’s 2023-24 regular season, the Houston Rockets found themselves thin in the frontcourt when it comes to traditional big men.

While rookie Amen Thompson has filled in capably in the starting lineup, the athletic rookie certainly isn’t a post presence.

Enter Jabari Smith Jr. and Jock Landale. Smith moved from power forward to center after Sengun’s injury, and Landale has taken on a bigger role in matchups where Houston needs rim protection (and to help fill some of Thompson’s vacated bench minutes).

Landale had a career-high 7 blocks in Tuesday’s blowout victory at Washington, while Smith finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds while shooting 7-of-13 from the field (53.8%).

“It was great,” Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said of Landale’s career night as a shot blocker. “We acknowledged him in the locker room, about that. He was part of the unit that really got us going, from an energy standpoint. Meeting guys at the rim, making the right plays in there, and deterring shots, even if he didn’t block it.”

In four games since losing Sengun to injury, which have all been won by the Rockets, the frontcourt duo is averaging:

  • Smith: 17.3 points, 8.8 rebounds; 55.3% FG, 42.1% on 3-pointers in 30.5 minutes
  • Landale: 10.0 points (64.0% FG), 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 2.0 assists in 22.5 minutes

To say the least, both sets of numbers are significantly ahead of each player’s averages for the season to date. Houston’s perfect record during these four games is obviously ahead of its usual clip, as well.

“He quietly went about his business,” Udoka said of Smith following Tuesday’s impressive road victory over the Wizards. “Four offensive rebounds, and there’s all the things he does besides switching and guarding some bigs. I thought he was really good.”

With four straight road victories, six consecutive overall wins, and an 8-1 record in March, Udoka and the Rockets will now look to keep that momentum rolling when they return to Houston (33-35) for a three-game homestand — starting Thursday night at Toyota Center. Tipoff versus the Bulls (34-35) is at 7:00 p.m. Central.

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Spacing and switching: Rockets adapt to life with Jabari Smith Jr. at center

Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff on the Rockets: “Playing smaller, playing switchable lineups, more five-out spacing, it does make them a little bit of a different team.”

The Rockets aren’t nearly as high powered on offense without injured center Alperen Sengun, and they also lack the physical post presence. With second-year forward Jabari Smith Jr. sliding to center and rookie Amen Thompson taking Smith’s vacated role at forward, however, Houston is suddenly more athletic in the frontcourt.

That dynamic allows head coach Ime Udoka to attempt even more switching on defense, and the presence of a big man with a reliable 3-point shot also provides floor-spacing benefits on offense.

“Jabari being a different pick-and-pop threat is really beneficial, especially against teams that play double bigs, like they do,” Udoka said after Saturday’s dominant win over Cleveland.

The Rockets were plus-22 in Smith’s 32 minutes, best of any player. He had 20 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks while making 8-of-13 shots (61.5%) and 3-of-5 from 3-point range (60%). Thompson added 18 points and 8 rebounds while making 8-of-11 shots (72.7%), most near the rim after offensive rebounds or creation by teammates.

“You try to find different ways to be effective,” said veteran point guard Fred VanVleet, speaking to the post-Sengun offense. “If they put a five and drop on Jabari, you’re going to pick-and-pop. He’s one of our better shooters. You got Amen rolling to the rim. He’s one of our better finishers. He can pass out of that short roll there.”

J.B. Bickerstaff, head coach of the Cavaliers (42-25), seems to have noticed. Here’s what Bickerstaff said of the new-look Rockets, via Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle:

As far as schemes and the team stuff … they’re different now. Playing smaller, playing switchable lineups, more five-out spacing, it does make them a little bit of a different team.

Houston (32-35) has won five straight games and is 7-1 in March. The Rockets look to build on that momentum when they visit Washington (11-55) on Tuesday. The tip is 6 p.m. Central.

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Ime Udoka sees Alperen Sengun’s final injury diagnosis as good news for Rockets

“The best news is that it is not broken, and no ligaments torn,” Ime Udoka says of Alperen Sengun’s diagnosis. “In the big picture, it was good news.”

SAN ANTONIO — Prior to Tuesday’s matchup versus the Spurs, Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka confirmed center Alperen Sengun will miss several weeks after being diagnosed with a Grade 3 right ankle sprain, along with a bone bruise to his knee.

The third-year big man was injured late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 112-104 victory in Sacramento when he landed awkwardly after contesting a shot by Kings center Domantas Sabonis. Sengun fell to the baseline in agonizing pain, and medical staff used a wheelchair to take him to the locker room.

“Some relief,” Udoka said when asked about the final diagnosis. “Obviously you hate to see him miss time in general, but the best news is that it is not broken, and no ligaments torn. Although he will be out for several weeks, in the big picture, it was good news.”

Udoka also had an opportunity to speak with Sengun after being diagnosed with no broken bones.

“He was happy to get that news,” Udoka told reporters Tuesday. “Not only was it a painful injury that looked bad, but he was probably just scared on the court at that time.”

Sengun had a great season, averaging 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game in 63 starts for Houston. Coach Udoka will have to shuffle his starting lineup to fill the void in the middle.

On Tuesday, he turned to second-year forward Jabari Smith Jr., who often uses his offensive skills to draw bigger and more physical defenders out of the lane. He will also play with his back to the basket on different sets, which he has no issue with.

“Me setting the screen makes it hard for them (opposing centers) to switch,” Smith told Rockets Wire before the game. “Just me with my speed. I feel like it is harder for bigger people to guard me.”

Smith’s versatility can also make him a menace on the defensive end. Ideally, this puts the Rockets in a situation where they will have quicker players on the floor to help prevent open 3-point shots, which they have struggled with at many junctures of the 2023-24 season

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With Alperen Sengun injured, Rockets promote Amen Thompson to starting lineup

With Alperen Sengun sidelined by injury, Houston’s initial starting five will consist of Jabari Smith Jr. sliding to center and Amen Thompson taking a forward spot.

With usual starting center Alperen Sengun (right ankle sprain) likely out for the duration of the 2023-24 regular season, the Houston Rockets aren’t replacing him with a traditional big man.

At least for the time being, head coach Ime Udoka is opting instead to go to a smaller lineup with more speed and athleticism.

In Tuesday’s game in San Antonio — the Spurs start a slender, athletic player, Victor Wembanyama, in the middle — the Rockets opted to slide second-year prospect Jabari Smith Jr. to center.

In turn, that allowed rookie Amen Thompson to fill one of the vacated forward spots alongside veteran Dillon Brooks. Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green continue to start in the backcourt roles.

Had Udoka opted for a more traditional lineup — and it’s possible he could change course in future games — veterans Jeff Green and Jock Landale are options for expanded frontcourt roles. But at least for now, it appears the Rockets want to use the vacated minutes to get a longer look at their uber-athletic rookie, who provides considerable value as a versatile defender and strong rebounder.

Before the All-Star break, Udoka appeared to suggest Thompson could be an option to replace the struggling Jalen Green at shooting guard. In that case, Udoka ultimately chose to stay the course with Green, whose performances have improved since.

A month later, Thompson gets the first call after a spot in the starting lineup finally opened (due to Sengun’s injury). Even with a somewhat unconventional fit, at least in terms of positions and roles, the hope is Thompson’s talent will prove worth it.

Over his last 27 games, Thompson is averaging 9.7 points (54% FG), 7.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1 block in 22.7 minutes per game. Most impressively, even as a rookie, the 21-year-old has become one of Houston’s best and most trusted defenders. At 6-foot-7, he’s capable of covering and switching across most positions.

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Takeaways: Jalen Green drops 34 points, but Rockets lack support in Phoenix

Jalen Green led the way with 34 points and a season-high seven 3-pointers, but it wasn’t enough to win on the road versus Devin Booker (35 points) and the Suns.

In the first of two straight games in the same building between the same teams, the Rockets couldn’t recapture their home form in Thursday’s 110-105 loss (box score) to the Phoenix Suns. With the loss, Houston (25-34) drops to a woeful 5-24 on the road this season.

Tari Eason remained sidelined with a lower left leg injury, and it appears quite possible that it could end his 2023-24 season. Bradley Beal and Eric Gordon were out with minor injuries for Phoenix.

The Suns lost in Houston last Friday, but led by Devin Booker, it was a very different story in Phoenix (35-24). The All-Star guard finished with a game-high 35 points on Thursday while shooting 13-of-27 from the field (48.1%), including 6-of-11 on 3-pointers (54.5%).

Jalen Green led the way for the Rockets, finishing with a team-high 34 points and 5 rebounds. Green’s shot faded as the game progressed and he shot just 10-of-27 (37.0%), though he did make 7-of-17 from 3-point range (41.2%) and all seven of his free-throw attempts.

But on the offensive end of the court, Green didn’t have enough help, and particularly not from distance. Other notable lines included:

  • Fred VanVleet: 21 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists; 6-of-16 shooting (37.5%), 2-of-8 on 3-pointers (25.0%), 7-of-7 on free throws
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 11 points, 16 rebounds; 3-of-11 shooting (27.3%), 1-of-6 on 3-pointers (16.7%)
  • Dillon Brooks: 6 points, 8 rebounds; 3-of-11 shooting (27.3%), 0-of-6 on 3-pointers
  • Alperen Sengun: 8 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 6 fouls, ejected; 3-of-7 shooting (42.9%)
  • Cam Whitmore: 14 points, 8 rebounds; 5-of-14 shooting (35.7%), 0-of-5 on 3-pointers

As a team, the Rockets connected on just 33-of-99 shots (33.3%) and 11-of-45 from 3-point range (24.4%) on Thursday night.

On the positive side, Houston went +12 in 10 minutes with backup center Jock Landale, who tallied 8 points (50% FG) and 6 rebounds.

Here’s our look at Thursday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Saturday’s rematch from Footprint Center is up next, with the tip at 8 p.m. Central.

Takeaways: Jabari Smith Jr. excels, but Chet Holmgren rallies Thunder past Rockets

In a battle of top 2022 draft picks, Jabari Smith Jr. had another 20-15 game, but Chet Holmgren scored 19 points in the fourth quarter and rallied the Thunder to a win.

HOUSTON — In a frontcourt duel between top picks from the 2022 NBA draft, Chet Holmgren of the Thunder and Jabari Smith Jr. of the Rockets put on quite a show Sunday at Toyota Center. But thanks in large part to Holmgren’s fourth-quarter flurry, Oklahoma City (40-17) maintained its position at the top of the Western Conference and rallied to a 123-110 road victory (box score).

Holmgren finished with 29 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks, shooting 11-of-16 from the field (68.8%) and 5-of-8 on 3-pointers (62.5%). For the No. 2 overall pick of the 2022 first round, his 19 fourth-quarter points set a Thunder rookie record (Holmgren is considered a rookie because he sat out last season due to injury).

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, an emerging MVP candidate, led the Thunder in scoring with 36 points while making 13-of-23 shots (56.5%), 2-of-3 on 3-pointers (66.7%), and 8-of-9 on free throws (88.9%).

Yet, the Rockets (25-32) were competitive most of the way thanks to a strong night from Smith, drafted one slot behind Holmgren at No. 3 in 2022. After sparking Houston’s victory Friday over Phoenix, Smith finished with 20 points, 17 rebounds, and 4 assists on Sunday, shooting 6-of-14 overall (42.9%) and 4-of-9 on 3-pointers (44.4%).

Smith has now had consecutive games with 20+ points and 15+ rebounds after not having any in his career before this stretch.

It was a fine statistical game for Smith’s frontcourt mate, Alperen Sengun, who finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds while shooting 6-of-12 (50.0%). However, he also had a game-high 6 turnovers, and many of Sengun’s points and rebounds came late in the fourth quarter — after the game had largely been decided.

Other individual stat lines of note for the Rockets, who raced out to a 16-point lead midway through the second quarter, included:

  • Fred VanVleet: 20 points, 3 assists; 7-of-16 shooting (43.8%), 4-of-10 on 3-pointers (40.0%)
  • Jalen Green: 11 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists; 5-of-13 shooting (38.5%), 1-of-5 on 3-pointers
  • Dillon Brooks: 13 points, 2 assists; 4-of-5 on 3-pointers (80.0%)

It was a mixed bag for Houston’s rookie duo of Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore. Thompson had 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals in 21 minutes while making some spectacular defensive plays. However, he shot just 2-of-10 (20.0%) and scored 6 points in 21 minutes.

Whitmore had 12 points and 3 rebounds while shooting 4-of-9 (44.4%) — but in contrast to Thompson, he struggled on defense.

Here’s our look at Sunday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up is Tuesday’s rematch in Oklahoma City, with tipoff at 9:00 p.m. Central.

Takeaways: Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson show grit as Rockets rally past Suns

One night after struggling massively in the paint, Jabari Smith Jr. (22 points, 16 rebounds) and the Rockets flipped the script in Friday’s gritty win over Phoenix.

HOUSTON — One night after the Rockets were bullied inside in a blowout loss, second-year forward Jabari Smith Jr. responded with one of the strongest games of his career in Friday’s 114-110 win (box score) over the visiting Phoenix Suns (33-24). Houston (25-31) is now 20-9 in home games at Toyota Center this season.

Smith finished with 22 points, 16 rebounds, and 2 steals, representing the first 20-15 game of his young career. Houston, which entered with six losses in its last seven games, recovered from a 22-6 deficit in the game’s early minutes to dramatically turn the tables.

The Rockets connected on 15-of-45 shots from 3-point range (33.3%) on Friday, which proved decisive on a night in which the visiting Suns shot only 7-of-31 from distance (22.6%). Smith (3), Jalen Green (3), and Fred VanVleet (6) led Houston in 3-point makes.

Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore each scored 15 points off Houston’s bench, while Thompson added 10 rebounds in his 33 minutes. The rookie duo combined to shoot 11-of-22 overall (50.0%).

Beyond Smith and the rookies, who all contributed on both ends of the court, other standout statistical lines for the Rockets included:

  • VanVleet: 23 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds; 6-of-14 on 3-pointers (42.9%)
  • Alperen Sengun: 17 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists; 6-of-15 shooting (40.0%)
  • Green: 14 points, 4 assists; 5-of-13 shooting (38.5%), 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50.0%)

Sengun hit 5-of-6 last-minute free throws (83.3%) to secure the win.

On defense, Thompson was a big factor in limiting Suns star Devin Booker to an inefficient 25 points on 7-of-24 shooting (29.2%), including 0-of-4 on 3-pointers. Kevin Durant, also an All-Star, led the visitors with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists while shooting 10-of-22 (45.5%) — though he hit just 1-of-7 from 3-point range (14.3%).

Bol Bol, a sparingly used 7-foot-3 forward, had the best game of his young career off the Phoenix bench, finishing with 25 points and 14 rebounds in 27 minutes while making 11-of-17 shots (64.7%).

Here’s our look at Friday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets is a home-and-home pair of games with Oklahoma City (38-17), with the first coming Sunday in Houston. Tipoff is at 6:00 p.m. Central.

NBA Rising Stars 2024: Bennedict Mathurin unanimously named MVP to lead Team Jalen to title

Pacers sophomore Bennedict Mathurin was unanimously named MVP of the 2024 NBA Rising Stars game to lead Team Jalen to the championship.

Indiana Pacers sophomore Bennedict Mathurin on Friday was unanimously named MVP of the 2024 NBA Rising Stars game to lead Team Jalen to the championship in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mathurin produced 18 points in the opening game as Team Jalen defeated Team Tamika. He had four points, two assists and one steal in a 26-13 win in the final over Team Detlef, which consisted of seven of the top players in the G League.

While Mathurin did the bulk of the scoring in the semifinal round, Dereck Lively II had six points and Jordan Hawkins and Jalen Williams each chipped in five points in the final. Williams drained the game-winning 3-pointer to end it for Team Jalen.

The event featured four seven-player teams competing in a three-game tournament for the third straight year. The two semifinal games were played to a target score of 40, and the championship game was played to a target score of 25.

The pool of players for the game consisted of 11 rookies, 10 second-year players and seven players from the G League. The players from the NBA were selected by assistant coaches and the players from the G League were selected by the league office.

The four teams were coached by Hall of Famer Pau Gasol, Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings and former Pacers standouts Jalen Rose and Detlef Schrempf, who led the G League team.

Here is how the teams performed in the event.