HOUSTON — Rockets rookie Jabari Smith Jr. continued his memorable March with the biggest moment of his NBA career so far.
With his team down one and time running out, Smith buried a deep 3-pointer with only 0.4 seconds left in Friday’s game, giving Houston a 114-112 victory (box score) over the visiting New Orleans Pelicans. It sent Toyota Center into a frenzy and lifted a young Rockets squad to its first three-game winning streak of the 2022-23 season.
New Orleans fell to 33-37 with the loss, while Houston improved to 18-52 following its fifth win in eight games.
For Smith, who drilled a game-tying 3-pointer in the closing seconds last Thursday in Indiana, it’s his second time in eight days to come through when it mattered most for the Rockets.
This time, Houston trailed by double digits for much of second half, but they staged a furious rally in the fourth quarter to climb past Brandon Ingram (31 points, 6 assists) and the Pelicans.
Jalen Green led the Rockets with 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists on 10-of-20 shooting (50.0%). Those numbers included a long two-pointer in the final minute, which brought Houston within a point and set the stage for Smith’s heroics on the final possession.
Kevin Porter Jr. added 20 points for the Rockets on 5-of-12 shooting from 3-point range (41.7%), while Alperen Sengun had 17 points and 11 rebounds on 8-of-17 shooting (47.1%).
But it was the Smith (11 points, 8 rebounds) who went out as a hero, and for good reason. Here’s a look at how fans and players across the NBA reacted in real-time to the 19-year-old — drafted at No. 3 overall in the 2022 first round — making a name for himself in crunch time.
Jabari Smith Jr. beats the buzzer
JABARI SMITH JR. WINS IT 🚨 pic.twitter.com/FLoiaXg3iH
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 18, 2023
Reaction to Jabari Smith Jr.’s heroics
Eric has spoken. So shall it be. https://t.co/JKvpL2b4EP pic.twitter.com/PvpjatQ15R
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) March 18, 2023
Jabari Smith Jr.
“I’m built for this. I’ve been doing this all my life.” pic.twitter.com/MZpmYDKsvl
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@Vator_H_Town) March 18, 2023
Jabari Smith Jr with the game-winning three!
The rookie is averaging 20.6 PTS (58% FG) & 9.4 REB over his last 5 games. pic.twitter.com/S3Bg64jDlh
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) March 18, 2023
The TL when JABARI CAME UP CLUCH AGAIN!!! #Rockets #RocketsTwitter pic.twitter.com/WJcc33teIm
— Jason Williams (@AstroRocket) March 18, 2023
That was fun 😁 pic.twitter.com/So3vNJJbEd
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 18, 2023
Jabari Smith Jr. showing out is by far the best thing that could of happened at the end of this #Rockets season.
Confidence is through the roof! pic.twitter.com/bWLAaXOG93
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) March 18, 2023
Jabari. Smith. Jr. That's it. That's the caption.@CreditKarma l #MoneyMoveoftheGame pic.twitter.com/m1r8s6CMUC
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 18, 2023
#Rockets BEAT the Pelicans 114-112
Jabari Smith Jr had the GAME WINNING 3⃣ WITH .04 SECONDS ON THE CLOCK@SportsVanessa with @jabarismithjr after the @HoustonRockets WIN pic.twitter.com/4qq95BskEO
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) March 18, 2023
Kevin Porter Jr with that ludicrous 3 in transition. Jalen Green hitting a double clutch middy with 30 seconds remaining. Jabari Smith nailing one of the best game winners I've seen. Alperen Sengun standing up to Valanciunas all night.
This team got some fucking balls, man.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) March 18, 2023
ITS A PARADE INSIDE MY CITY YEAHH https://t.co/6w0xrhBosJ
— Tari Eason (@TAR13ASON) March 18, 2023
This was a fun one to take in as a fan. Holy shit. #Rockets https://t.co/bnkrTpsA57 pic.twitter.com/FHIBLFglwd
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 18, 2023
JABARI IS HIM!!!
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 18, 2023
Tari reaction is gold pic.twitter.com/WPNgOq6SF3
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) March 18, 2023
Stephen Silas: "We were running in a little action for either Jalen (Green) or (Kevin Porter Jr) to come off (a screen). (Tate) saw that they weren't guarding Jabari in the backcourt, so he looked at me and I was like, 'yeah', so he threw it to him, and he made the shot."
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) March 18, 2023
You can't teach that!!!!
— Ryan Hollins (@TheRyanHollins) March 18, 2023
After he hit the game-winning 3 against the Pelicans, @HoustonRockets rookie @jabarismithjr gave the game ball to his dad. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ZXYtugZlZr
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) March 18, 2023
We just witnessed a growth spurt by Jabari Smith Jr. tonight…#Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) March 18, 2023
Zion Williamson is furious, storming down the tunnel and shaking his head. What a win for Houston.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) March 18, 2023
I promise I called that…Told people that Jabari was going to shoot it and when he got I said, “Grown Man Status!” #Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) March 18, 2023
Fifth time is the charm. The Rockets have won 3 in a row for the first time this season
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) March 18, 2023
HOLY SHIT JABARI!!!!
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) March 18, 2023
I need to see Jabari Smith Jr. in a playoff setting as soon as possible.
His energy is absolutely perfect for that setting. pic.twitter.com/7sADUGYJtH
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) March 18, 2023
JABARI SMITH JR. FOR THE WIN!!!
BAAAAAAANG!!!
BAAAAAAANG!!!pic.twitter.com/AzQFpOFiuk
— #FireSilas | Red Nation BR 🇧🇷 (@RedNationBR) March 18, 2023
JALEN GREEN AND JABARI SMITH JR WIN IT FOR THE #ROCKETS
THE FUTURE IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— Paulo Alves (@PauloAlvesNBA) March 18, 2023
Jabari Smith Jr and Jalen Green just showed everyone why they're the future of this organisation.
It starts and stops there for this franchise going forward. If those guys dont pan out big time, its not worth the bother anyways bc we'll never get past mediocrity. #Rockets
— Paulo Alves (@PauloAlvesNBA) March 18, 2023
Jabari Smith, Jr. has his first career game winner!
— Rob Kimbell (@RobKSports) March 18, 2023
JABARI. SMITH. JR!!!!!!!
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 18, 2023
Jabari Smith giving us the game winner we haven’t gotten yet in March Madness
What a turnaround he has had the last few weeks
— Draft Dummies (@DraftDummies) March 18, 2023
Oh my God Jabari Smith. I have no words.
I damn near passed out.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) March 18, 2023
That’s LOVE 🫶 pic.twitter.com/wQ3613VwPp
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 18, 2023
What a night!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Alperen (@alperennsengun) March 18, 2023
Three. In. A. Row. 👏 pic.twitter.com/dldexzenBc
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 18, 2023
the rook’s been tooooooo hot we had to cool him off 💦 pic.twitter.com/PGyrLSNPfH
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 18, 2023
BARI BUCKETS HAS ICE IN HIS VEINS 🥶 pic.twitter.com/5Ay4tLdiTr
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 18, 2023
Josh, say it louder for the people in the back!
WHAT A NIGHT 🤩 pic.twitter.com/NlHuKVTnnc
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 18, 2023
