With Jabari Smith Jr. on the verge of a return, the Rockets can likely start only two players out of Smith, Dillon Brooks, and Amen Thompson.

Since January 3, Rockets’ Jabari Smith Jr. has been out with a fractured hand. NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that Smith Jr. is targeting a return for February 21. Houston’s first game back after the all-star break.

The Rockets aren't desperate at fifth place in the Western Conference, but Jabari Smith Jr.'s imminent return should be a good boost.

Thursday’s game versus Golden State appears likely to be the last one that Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. misses due to his left hand fracture.

In 20 games without Jabari Smith Jr., the Rockets have been a below-average defensive team and one of the NBA’s worst at defensive rebounding.

The Rockets were without Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Steven Adams on Sunday, and Ime Udoka offered a series of health updates.

Smith, the third-year forward from Auburn, is targeting Houston's Feb. 21 game against the Minnesota Timberwolves for his return from a fractured hand, according to NBA reporter Chris Haynes. Smith has not played since Jan. 3 after breaking his hand during a Houston practice.

Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (fractured hand) — who’s been out since Jan. 3 — targeting return of Feb. 21 vs. Timberwolves. His agent Wallace Prather comments on

Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. is targeting a February 21 return from the hand injury that has sidelined him since

Jabari Smith broke his hand in practice and has not played a game since Jan. 1. A few weeks later, Fred VanVleet would go down with an injured ankle. The Rockets have also had to deal with Steven Adams and Tari Eason being unable to play back-to-back games.