HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets have announced that forward Jabari Smith Jr. has sustained a fracture in his left hand, requiring surgical intervention that will sideline him for a period of four to eight weeks.

Coach Ime Udoka disclosed the injury during a press conference on Friday night, just prior to facing the Boston Celtics. He explained that the injury occurred during the morning shootaround when Smith suffered a fracture to a metacarpal bone in his left hand.

“During practice, he took a light hit to the hand. Initially, it seemed minimal, but as the pain intensified, we decided to have it examined, which led to the diagnosis,” Udoka stated.

The coach mentioned that he was awaiting a second opinion before finalizing the schedule for the necessary surgery.

Throughout the current season, Smith has consistently been a starter for the Rockets, contributing an average of 11.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

In Smith’s absence, Amen Thompson is expected to step into his role. However, Thompson will not return until Sunday, as he is completing a two-game suspension stemming from an altercation involving Miami’s Tyler Herro last Sunday.

Jabari Smith, who was selected third overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, boasts a career average of 13 points and 7.4 rebounds over his three seasons in the league.