Jabari Smith Jr. Calls for Tougher Rockets After Dominant Win

Houston forward wants team to play with more energy and physicality to stabilize playoff positioning.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 3:03pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy, crimson, and gold, conveying the intense physicality and energy of the Rockets' performance.Jabari Smith Jr.'s relentless effort on the boards helped the Rockets regain their physical identity in a crucial road win.New Orleans Today

Jabari Smith Jr. had a standout performance with 21 points and a season-high 16 rebounds as the Houston Rockets defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 119-109 on the road. Smith emphasized the need for the Rockets to play with a 'desperate mindset' and focus on rebounding and physicality, areas the team has struggled with lately. The win was crucial for Houston (44-29) as they try to solidify their position in the Western Conference playoff race.

Why it matters

The Rockets have been inconsistent lately, dropping two frustrating losses to the Bulls and Timberwolves. Smith's call for tougher play reflects the team's desire to regain their identity as a gritty, physical squad as they gear up for the postseason. Maintaining this level of effort and energy will be key for Houston to secure a favorable first-round matchup.

The details

Smith set the tone with his dominant rebounding performance, grabbing 16 boards to go along with his 21 points. He emphasized the need to focus on boxing out and crashing the glass, areas where the Rockets have struggled recently. Beyond Smith, other standout performers included Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, and Tari Eason. The team credited an effective shootaround and film session following their previous loss as helping them regain their focus and intensity for the Memphis game.

  • The Rockets defeated the Grizzlies on Friday, March 28, 2026.
  • Houston's next game is on Sunday, March 30, 2026 against the New Orleans Pelicans.

The players

Jabari Smith Jr.

The Houston Rockets forward had a standout performance with 21 points and a season-high 16 rebounds in the team's win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Kevin Durant

The Rockets' star forward contributed 25 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds in the victory.

Ime Udoka

The Rockets' head coach praised the team's effort and energy in the win, saying the 'mindset was in the right place.'

Olivier-Maxence Prosper

The Grizzlies' forward had an impressive individual performance, scoring 31 points on 80% shooting, including 4-of-5 from three-point range.

Dorian Finney-Smith

The Rockets' forward was seemingly pulled from the rotation, with coach Udoka saying he and Josh Okogie will 'get another chance' as the team evaluates different lineup options.

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What they’re saying

“I just came out with a desperate mindset, crashing.”

— Jabari Smith Jr., Rockets Forward

“The energy needs to be there all the time. I was making an emphasis on boxing out. My boxing out been pretty bad lately. My rebounding numbers were pretty low, so I'm just trying to make an emphasis on it.”

— Jabari Smith Jr., Rockets Forward

“I thought the effort was there from the start. It felt more energized out there.”

— Ime Udoka, Rockets Head Coach

“We let two games go, lately. I just wanted to play hard. ... We were competing tonight. The mindset was in the right place. Everybody was connected, had good communication. And we came out with the dub.”

— Jabari Smith Jr., Rockets Forward

“We try to say that we're this tough team, that we're this gritty team. But we haven't been that lately.”

— Jabari Smith Jr., Rockets Forward

What’s next

The Rockets will wrap up their four-game road trip on Sunday, March 30, 2026 against the New Orleans Pelicans. Tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m. Central and the game will be televised and streamed regionally on Space City Home Network and nationally via NBA League Pass.

The takeaway

Jabari Smith Jr.'s call for the Rockets to play with more energy, physicality, and a 'desperate mindset' reflects the team's need to regain their identity as a tough, gritty squad as they jockey for playoff positioning. If Houston can sustain this level of effort and intensity, it will go a long way towards securing a favorable first-round matchup in the postseason.