Jabari Smith Jr. Injury Status Update for April 18th, 2026
The Rockets got some good news today — Jabari Smith Jr. has been cleared and is officially available to play. Jabari had previously been listed as Out, so his return to the lineup is a welcome development for the Rockets.
Jabari Smith Jr. Season Averages
The Rockets get back a player who has been producing at a high level this season. In 77 games, Jabari is averaging 15.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 35.1 minutes per game.
| MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | FGA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35.1 | 15.8 | 6.9 | 1.9 | 12.7 |
Rockets Performance With & Without Jabari Smith Jr.
The numbers tell a clear story about Jabari's value to the Rockets. With Jabari in the lineup this season, the team is 48-29. Without him, they've gone 4-1. The Rockets's net rating is 2.7 points better per 100 possessions when Jabari plays, which is a substantial gap. Interestingly, the offense has actually been slightly more efficient without him (113.5 vs 117.8), though that can be a small-sample anomaly.
| With | Without | Diff | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Record | 48-29 | 4-1 | — |
| Off Rating | 117.8 | 113.5 | -4.3 |
| Def Rating | 112.6 | 105.6 | -7.0 |
| Net Rating | 5.2 | 7.9 | +2.7 |
| PPG | 115.2 | 115.2 | -0.0 |
Teammate Usage Shift With Jabari Smith Jr. Back
With Jabari back in the lineup, some teammates will see their usage decrease. Players like JD Davison and Reed Sheppard are likely to see reduced touches and shot attempts as the offense flows through Jabari again.
PPG: -6.8 | FGA: -7.0 | MPG: -19.3 | RPG: -9.1 | APG: -6.0
MPG: -5.3 | APG: -2.1
Jabari Smith Jr. Betting Trends
With Jabari returning to the lineup, bettors should be aware of how the Rockets have performed with him on the floor this season. Here are the key trends:
💰 Betting Trends (with Jr.) Tari Eason REB OVER: 36-19 (+14.8u, 5.6 / -114 avg. line) Kevin Durant PRA OVER: 45-28 (+13.7u, 34.8 / -113 avg. line)
Jabari is expected to resume his normal role in the lineup tonight. Stay tuned for more injury updates and lineup news for the Rockets and the rest of the league.