Houston Rockets rookie Jabari Smith Jr. will not play on Friday versus the Toronto Raptors due to a sprained left ankle, assistant coach John Lucas II said.
Lucas, who is filling in for head coach Stephen Silas because of the health and safety protocol, said Smith suffered the injury on the final play of practice on Wednesday. The decision to hold him out was “more precautionary” and the team would reevaluate him after Friday.
“We’ll wait to see how the ankle responds,” Lucas said.
The injury comes after Smith dazzled in his preseason debut on Sunday, recording 21 points, eight rebounds and two assists in a win over the San Antonio Spurs. He went 8-of-15 from the field, including 5-of-8 from 3-point range, in 24 minutes of work.
The Rockets’ next game after facing the Raptors is Sunday in Miami. Lucas was unsure if Smith would be able to play in that contest but said the team will continue to monitor his ankle. The injury does not appear to be serious so it is possible Smith is ready to go in that game.
They wrap up the preseason on Oct. 14 with the Indiana Pacers.
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