Jabari Smith leaves the Magic game with an apparent ankle injury
The Houston Rockets he won Orlando Magic in a tough contest, 113-108, at the Kia Center on Thursday. Victory, however, could come at a cost, as Jabari Smith Jr. left the game in the final minutes with what appeared to be an ankle injury.
Smith finished with 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting in 29 minutes.
In a video posted on X, the 22-year-old striker remained on the floor for several seconds before getting up and limping to the bench.
It didn’t look good as Jabari Smith Jr. fell to the ground and immediately grabbed his right ankle. #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/lc5oOCtLRO
— BIG SARGE MEDIA LLC (@BigSargeSportz) February 27, 2026
While it was a good sign that Smith was able to walk on his own, there is still the possibility that he suffered a serious injury.
The Rockets can’t afford to lose him long-term, as he’s been a key part of the machine. Smith, who is in a contract year, has proven to be a reliable two-way player with his length, agility and athleticism. Despite its lithe frame, Smith is not afraid of the physical. He also improved his outside shooting.
His frontcourt trio of Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun is one of the most lethal in the NBA, and Smith is the perfect complement to his All-Star teammates.
With the victory, the Rockets improved to 37-21. Durant led the way with a record 40 points and eight rebounds. Sengun added 16 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Reid Shippard also had a game-high 20 points, including five 3-pointers, three rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks off the bench.
The Rockets have won their third straight game and will look to extend that streak on Saturday against the Miami Heat.
2026-02-27 03:09:00
