The Houston Rockets (33-20) are already fifth in the Western Conference, and soon they’ll get even stronger. Forward Jabari Smith Jr. (fractured hand), who’s been out since Jan. 3, is targeting a return date of Feb.

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka lamented his team's battered rotation Sunday afternoon as he noted the injury absences of starting point guard Fred VanVleet and forward Jabari Smith Jr . Houston now has a targeted return date for one member of its usual starting lineup as of Wednesday.

Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. is targeting a February 21 return from the hand injury that has sidelined him since early January, reports NBA Chris Haynes. Assuming Smith hits that target date, he would be back in action for Houston’s first game after the All-Star break,