A flurry of signs from afar brought Jabari Smith Jr. to life
From the beginning of the calendar year, Rockets showed a real lack of skill. But in the last two outings, the people of Ime Udoka seemed to have finally found a target. Against Minnesota, Kevin Durant erupted (39 points) while after that, Jabari Smith Jr remained in trouble (9 points, shooting 3/12). Against New Orleans, on the other hand, the forward had a hot hand.
Having been in trouble since the start of 2026 (23% success), Jabari Smith Jr. opens this duel with an open 3-pointer in the corner, only to get into a rhythm. From then on, the number 10 develops: the shots are fast, confident, and above all, they fall.
In the fourth quarter, when Houston had a 14-point lead, he took it upon himself to close things out. They serve him first Amen Thompson sanction behind the arc, full axle. Then, a few possessions later, he connected with Kevin Durant and scored again from distance, despite a challenge from Micah Peavy.
“Incredible: he shot with confidence, without hesitation”, also salutes Kevin Durant. “He just made shots without worrying about the ones he missed. We’re going to need that going forward. He’s got to build on that and keep his momentum going. We’re going to keep trusting him, and when he hits, we’re going to play at a whole new level.”
The planets align
This last award-winning basket is his seventh “warhead” of the night, a new personal best. He finished with 32 points on 11/21 shooting: his best total of the season and two points shy of his career high.
Interviewed after the matchexplained Jabari Smith Jr. this perfect evening, fueled by a series of little signs.
“I knew as soon as I woke up because it was my brother’s birthday”he says. “He wasn’t there, but I thought about him all day. So I played with a little more passion and let the shots go.”
Another wink: At the Toyota Center, the franchise was handing out bobbleheads featuring its image…
“I got a lot of love before the match: everyone was showing me these figurines with my character on them, so I felt good”, he continues. “My mom arrived early, she was waiting in line to get something, like I’m not going to get 60 in the car… but she was happy.”
With this success, Houston has won three of its last four games. The dynamic against the Bulls has started, the meeting has already been marked by a determined Jabari Smith Jr.despite a modest 2/7 from behind the arc. Because when the strong wing punishes the spaces left by the opposing defense, the Rockets clearly change the dimension.
https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=j8FVCU-geCc
| Jabari Smith Jr | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | The team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | That | Pd | Ft | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2022-23 | NEW | 79 | 31:02 | 40.8 | 30.7 | 78.6 | 1.5 | 5.7 | 7.2 | 1.3 | 2.9 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 12.8 |
| 2023-24 | NEW | 76 | 31:54 | 45.4 | 36.3 | 81.1 | 1.8 | 6.3 | 8.1 | 1.6 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 13.7 |
| 2024-25 | NEW | 57 | 30:06 | 43.8 | 35.4 | 82.5 | 1.8 | 5.2 | 7.0 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 12.2 |
| 2025-26 | NEW | 38 | 34:41 | 42.5 | 34.5 | 75.0 | 1.6 | 5.4 | 6.9 | 1.8 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 15.0 |
How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.
2026-01-19 11:28:00
