HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610)- Jabari Smith Jr will miss at least 4-8 after suffering a fracture to the fourth metacarpal on his left hand at shoot around on Friday morning, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said.
"At some point in practice he got hit on the hand...very minimal," Udoka said before Friday's game against the Boston Celtics. "Pain got worse, interviewed with you guys after (it happened), and it was getting worse throughout (the day), and got it looked at, checked, and found it."
Udoka said Smith will need surgery, but a second opinion will determine when that will take place.
In his third NBA season, Smith had played in all 33 games, averaging 12 points and 6.5 rebounds in 31 minutes. He's shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 35.4 percent from behind the three-point line.
"I think his shooting had been an upswing lately," Udoka said. "Started off a little cold at the start of season, but it's been much better lately, and then the versatility on defense that he brings, and when we go small with him at the five gives us a different look and impact in the game.
"He had been much better, obviously, in last 10 or so games, and so sucks to see this could happen at this time."
The Rockets started xxx in place of Smith on Friday, but Udoka said Amen Thompson will take over that spot in the starting lineup when he returns from suspension on Sunday. He also said Jeff Green, Jae'Sean Tate, Aaron Holiday, and Cam Whitmore are likely to see their roles increase.