Kevin Durant sees Jabari Smith Jr. as ‘X-factor’ for Rockets

Key Highlights

• “Somebody that can stretch the floor, rebound, block shots, do a little bit of everything well.
• We missed him out there.”Smith sprained his right ankle in the closing minutes of last Thursday’s win at Orlando, though initial indications were that it was a fairly minor injury. The Rockets are reportedly targeting a return date of this Thursday’s home game versus Golden State, which would give Smith a week off between appearances. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIf that timetable holds, that means Smith will miss two games — Saturday’s loss to the Heat and Monday’s road-trip finale versus the Washington Wizards (16-43).
• Tipoff is at 6:00 p. m.
• Central, with the game televised regionally on Space City Home Network and nationally via NBA League Pass. Houston (37-22) enters at No.
• 3 in the Western Conference standings. More: Rockets return to No.