Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. to miss 4-8 weeks due to hand fracture

Coach Ime Udoka revealed before the game against the Boston Celtics on Friday night that Smith had suffered a fractured metacarpal in his left hand during the morning shootaround.

“At some point in practice got hit on the hand — very minimal and the pain got worse … and got it looked at, checked and found it,” Udoka said.

Udoka added that he was waiting on a second opinion before surgery would be scheduled.

Smith has started every game for the Rockets this season, averaging 11.9 points and 6.5 rebounds.

Udoka said Amen Thompson would fill in while Smith is out. But that will have to wait until Sunday with Thompson serving the last of a two-game suspension Friday night for a fight with Miami’s Tyler Herro last Sunday.

Smith, the third overall pick in the 2022 draft, has averaged 13 points and 7.4 rebounds in his three-year career.