The Houston Rockets staged a late rally to beat the Orlando Magic on Thursday, securing their fourth win in five games since the All-Star break. The victory was tempered when forward Jabari Smith Jr. rolled his left ankle after stepping on teammate Alperen Şengün’s foot with 1:46 remaining in the fourth quarter. Head coach Ime Udoka said the injury appears minor and described Smith’s status as “day-to-day.”
Smith, who has started 57 of Houston’s 58 games, has been in peak form recently. Any absence would likely push the Rockets to reshuffle the frontcourt rotation and lean more on reserves Josh Okogie, Clint Capela and Dorian Finney-Smith.
Pelicans: Borrego’s bold approach
Since replacing Willie Green, interim coach James Borrego has deployed unconventional lineups, drawing praise inside the locker room. He opened the season starting rookie Derik Queen and moved high-salary guard Jordan Poole to a bench role. Guard Dejounte Murray, who recently returned from an Achilles injury, said players have embraced the changes: “Nobody is pouting. We’re all here to win, and longevity is the key for everybody.”
Mavericks: Marshall’s historic stat line
Undrafted forward Naji Marshall delivered 36 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in Dallas’ loss to Sacramento on Thursday, becoming just the third undrafted player since 1983-84 to reach at least 35-10-5 in a game. Marshall logged 42 minutes and finished plus-3 in the nine-point defeat. Coach Jason Kidd praised his effort, noting, “Shorthanded, he’s taken full advantage of his minutes.”
Spurs: Ingram named G League Player of the Week
Two-way rookie Harrison Ingram appeared in only five NBA games this season but excelled with the Austin Spurs, averaging 22.2 points, 13.4 rebounds and 7.4 assists over five games last week to claim NBA G League Player of the Week honors.
Smith’s health, Borrego’s lineup gambles, Marshall’s breakout and Ingram’s G League surge headline the latest developments across the Southwest Division.
Source: Hoops Rumors
