Amid the Houston Rockets’ 48-point first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves over the weekend, the return of Jabari Smith Jr. — and more importantly, Ime Udoka’s utilization of the third-year big — was a reminder of his value.

Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. will make his return on Friday at Toyota Center against the Minnesota Timberwolves, which gives the slumping Rockets a boost and also presents a looming starting lineup quandary.

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.”