The Houston Rockets collected another victory on Thursday—their fourth in five outings since the All-Star break—but forward Jabari Smith Jr. rolled his left ankle with less than two minutes remaining after landing on teammate Alperen Sengun’s foot. Head coach Ime Udoka described the injury as “day-to-day” and said it “doesn’t look too terrible.” Smith has opened 57 of Houston’s 58 games and is in the midst of arguably his best NBA stretch. Any absence would push the Rockets to rely more heavily on wings Josh Okogie and Dorian Finney-Smith.
Pelicans
Interim head coach James Borrego continues to alter New Orleans’ rotation. As reported by Rod Walker of NOLA.com, Borrego’s moves this season have included inserting rookie Derik Queen into the starting lineup and shifting Jordan Poole to a bench role. Guard Dejounte Murray said the locker room has embraced the changes, noting, “There are no egos.” According to Murray, players understand their roles may fluctuate, but overall commitment remains intact.
Mavericks
Naji Marshall demonstrated why Dallas kept him past the trade deadline, exploding for 36 points, 10 rebounds and six assists against Sacramento, per Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal. Since 1983, only two other undrafted players have matched or exceeded those numbers in a single game. “He’s taken full advantage,” head coach Jason Kidd said of the forward’s breakout performance.
Source: Hoops Wire
