In a highly anticipated return, Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. took to the court on Friday night against the Timberwolves after a 22-game absence due to a broken left hand. Coach Ime Udoka shared that Smith would be coming off the bench as a strategic move, considering the team's upcoming back-to-back games. Smith's injury had left a noticeable gap in the Rockets' lineup, with Amen Thompson stepping up admirably in his absence and even earning the Western Conference's defensive player of the month honors in January. With Smith back in action, the team looks forward to his impact on the court as they navigate a challenging stretch of games.
Fred VanVleet and Rudy Gobert were notable absences in the matchup, with VanVleet missing his eighth consecutive game due to a strained right ankle, and Gobert sidelined for the second game in a row with lower back spasms. On the bright side, Timberwolves' Mike Conley was set to make his return following a four-game absence due to a sprained right index finger, a development that Coach Chris Finch welcomed eagerly. As the Rockets and Timberwolves faced off, fans anticipated an intense matchup with key players making their returns and others battling through injuries, adding an extra layer of excitement to the game.