Houston Rockets veteran guard Marcus Smart will miss Monday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks because of a left forearm strain.
The Rockets listed the veteran guard as out for the contest at Toyota Center. He remains day-to-day and questionable for games after that. The team has not identified the specific play or contact that produced the injury.
Such strains typically develop when muscles or tendons are overstretched by repeated forceful wrist movements, sudden hyperextension, or contact while contesting position.
Smart signed a two-year, $13 million contract with Houston in July after a season with the Los Angeles Lakers. The deal carries a player option for 2027-28. He reunites with coach Ime Udoka, his coach during the 2021-22 season in Boston.
The 32-year-old won Defensive Player of the Year that year with the Celtics. He was the first guard to receive the award since Gary Payton in 1995-96.
In the season opener against Dallas, Smart scored 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting, including 2-of-4 from three-point range. He added two rebounds and two assists in 26 minutes of a 128-110 win.
Two nights later against San Antonio, he finished with five points on 1-of-6 shooting. He also recorded three rebounds, one assist and one steal in 21 minutes during a 114-110 victory.
Smart did not play Saturday in Atlanta. Houston still won 121-114 and improved to 3-0. The teams meet again Monday night at home.
Through two regular-season appearances, Smart is averaging 7.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.
Udoka has highlighted the value of the new addition.
“He’s really cerebral on both sides of the ball and has played in big games. His experience, and the edge and toughness that he brings every night, is going to be invaluable for us,” Udoka said. “Nights where maybe Fred (VanVleet) can’t play back-to-back early in the season, it’s great to have another point guard out there that’s gone through the fire.”
Smart primarily works with the second unit. He supplies physical perimeter defense, switches onto larger wings when needed, and serves as a secondary creator.
Houston went 52-30 last season before losing in the first round to the Lakers. Smart played a notable role for Los Angeles in that series.
With Smart unavailable, Reed Sheppard and Bogdan Bogdanovic are among those expected to absorb extra minutes.
The Rockets have averaged 121 points per game early this season. Their defensive rating has ranked in the middle of the league through three games.
Smart’s presence adds a veteran voice alongside Kevin Durant, Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams on a roster that also features younger pieces such as Amen Thompson.
No firm return date has been given beyond the current day-to-day designation.
