Marcus Smart was downgraded from day-to-day to out with a left forearm injury on Monday. The Rockets play the Hawks tonight without the guard, and the injury report lists his expected return as Oct. 28.
What happened
Houston guard Marcus Smart is out with a left forearm injury, according to the injury report posted Monday at 12:30 p.m. ET. He had been listed day-to-day. His status has moved back and forth since Saturday. He was day-to-day on Oct. 24, then out later that day, then day-to-day again on Sunday. The report's comment on Smart says he is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Hawks, which does not match the out designation. The report lists his expected return as Oct. 28. No other details on the injury have been announced.
What it means for the Rockets
The Rockets host the Hawks tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET. They are 3-0, first in the standings, and have won three straight. Smart has played two games and averages 23.9 minutes, 7.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists. Houston is 2-0 with him and 1-0 without him. In the game he missed, Fred VanVleet played 30.6 minutes and Reed Sheppard played 23.1. Bogdan Bogdanovic played 14.1 minutes. Kevin Durant led the team with 37.0 minutes and 24.0 points. Steven Adams is also out with a right calf injury, so the Rockets are short two players.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether Smart's status changes again. Given his recent swings between day-to-day and out, the wording matters. The report lists Oct. 28 as his expected return. That is a listed date, not a guarantee. The Rockets have not announced a timeline beyond it. Watch whether VanVleet and Sheppard keep their minutes against Atlanta, and whether Adams' status changes in the next report.
Is Marcus Smart playing vs the Hawks?
No. Smart is listed as out with a left forearm injury for Monday's game at 8:30 p.m. ET. The comment on the report calls him questionable, but his status is out.
When will Marcus Smart be back?
The injury report lists an expected return of Oct. 28. The Rockets have not announced anything beyond that date.