Several NBA clubs issued injury updates Monday, affecting rotations in Houston, Detroit, Dallas, Washington and Utah.
Rockets
Forward Jabari Smith Jr. missed Houston’s matchup with Dallas after spraining his right ankle in Saturday’s victory at Boston, according to the Houston Chronicle. Head coach Ime Udoka said he is hopeful the 2022 No. 3 overall pick will return Wednesday in Memphis. Tari Eason started in Smith’s place. Smith signed a five-year, $122 million rookie-scale extension in July that starts next season.
Pistons
Tobias Harris also sat out Monday with a right ankle sprain when Detroit visited Memphis. Isaiah Stewart moved into the starting power-forward slot. Harris, 33, is in the final season of a $26.6 million deal and can become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Mavericks
Dallas center Dereck Lively II missed his fourth straight game because of a sore right knee. Head coach Jason Kidd told reporters the third-year big man will be re-evaluated once the club returns to Dallas. After having his fourth-year option picked up, Lively will be eligible for a rookie-scale extension in the 2026 offseason.
Wizards
Veteran forward Khris Middleton was held out against the Knicks with a left elbow contusion, marking his first absence of the season. The three-time All-Star is earning $33.3 million this year and is under contract through 2025-26.
Jazz
Second-year guard Isaiah Collier was available for the first time this season after overcoming a right hamstring strain, though head coach Will Hardy was uncertain whether he would see action against Boston. Utah exercised Collier’s third-year option last week, guaranteeing his $2.76 million salary for 2026-27.
Source: Hoops Rumors
