It doesn’t matter about when you start,” Jabari Smith Jr. tells Rockets Wire of his mindset. “It matters what you do when you get in the game.”

Jabari Smith Jr. has been out since Jan. 3 with a broken hand. The Rockets sorely missed his rebounding and versatility but now face a starting lineup decision.

Danielle Lerner: Jabari Smith Jr. will come off the bench tonight for the Rockets. Tari Eason will start instead of FVV. Udoka said it’s to ease Smith back in and take advantage of having Eason in first half of a b2b. Jabari said yesterday that he’d accept a bench role.