Kofi Inkoom
Rockets’ Sunday game against the Celtics will be without Jabari Smith Jr., who’s dealing with a left ankle sprain from the overtime win against Utah on Saturday.
Smith sustained the injury in the final minute, exiting the game after an impressive performance with 24 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, two steals, one block, and four 3-pointers in 41 minutes.
He believes he landed on an opponent’s foot, aggravating the same ankle he sprained in December.
Alongside Smith, Jeff Green is also ruled out, opening the door for increased playing time for Jae’Sean Tate and Cam Whitmore in the short-handed Rockets lineup.
Also, Fred VanVleet won’t be playing on Sunday due to lower back tightness, opting out of Houston’s back-to-back after a 34-minute game against the Jazz. This absence could elevate Aaron Holiday to the starting five.
Adding to the Rockets’ injury concerns, Jeff Green, dealing with left calf soreness, is among the three players ruled out after the win over the Jazz.
Reggie Bullock is also sidelined again due to a lower back strain, but his absence doesn’t significantly impact the Rockets’ rotation, as the veteran wing isn’t guaranteed minutes even when healthy.
The Rockets, facing multiple key absences, approach the Celtics game with a reshuffled lineup, creating opportunities for various players to step up.
On the Celtics front, both Al Horford and Jrue Holiday are out heading into tonight’s game on the road. They are 2-3 away from home in their last five road trips.