Thursday’s game versus Golden State appears likely to be the last one that Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. misses due to his left hand fracture.

Smith, the third-year forward from Auburn, is targeting Houston's Feb. 21 game against the Minnesota Timberwolves for his return from a fractured hand, according to NBA reporter Chris Haynes. Smith has not played since Jan. 3 after breaking his hand during a Houston practice.

Since January 3, Rockets’ Jabari Smith Jr. has been out with a fractured hand. NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that Smith Jr. is targeting a return for February 21. Houston’s first game back after the all-star break.

Jabari Smith broke his hand in practice and has not played a game since Jan. 1. A few weeks later, Fred VanVleet would go down with an injured ankle. The Rockets have also had to deal with Steven Adams and Tari Eason being unable to play back-to-back games.

In 20 games without Jabari Smith Jr., the Rockets have been a below-average defensive team and one of the NBA’s worst at defensive rebounding.

The Houston Rockets (33-20) are already fifth in the Western Conference, and soon they’ll get even stronger. Forward Jabari Smith Jr. (fractured hand), who’s been out since Jan. 3, is targeting a return date of Feb.