Dorian Finney-Smith Could Debut for Rockets Against Former Team Today
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HOUSTON — Veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith may step on the floor for the Houston Rockets for the first time when they meet the Los Angeles Lakers today, Dec. 25. He is officially listed as questionable, RealGM reported.
The 32-year-old would be facing the club he left during the offseason. Finney-Smith departed Los Angeles in free agency and signed a four-year, $53 million contract with Houston.
Recognized for his defensive versatility, Finney-Smith arrived in Los Angeles last December in a trade with Brooklyn. He played 43 games for the Lakers in 2024-25, starting 20, and averaged 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists across 28.8 minutes. His shooting percentages were .442 from the field, .398 from three-point range and .714 at the free-throw line.
Offseason left ankle surgery in June delayed his preseason timetable; initial expectations were that he would be ready for training camp. Finney-Smith missed 20 games last season because of ankle problems, eight of them with the Lakers.
If he is cleared to play, his minutes are likely to come at the expense of starting power forward Jabari Smith Jr., who is logging a career-high 34.5 minutes per game.
Source: Hoops Rumors
