Philadelphia 76ers rookie guard Zhaire Smith is expected to return from a Jones fracture around Christmas time, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Sixers youngster first suffered the injury in early August during a team workout, causing his surgery on Aug. 9 to repair an acute Jones fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his left foot.

The recovery time for a Jones fracture is typically six to eight weeks, but teams will usually add two to three weeks to account for recovery time.

Philadelphia won't rush Smith back, especially given that his Christmas return largely hinges on no setbacks taking place within his recovery and rehabilitation.

The Sixers had planned for Smith to spend a lot of time with their G-League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, considering that he isn't expected to make an impact for the team this season.

Smith was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 16th overall pick in this year's NBA Draft, but then immediately traded along with the Miami Heat's unprotected 2021 first-round pick to the Sixers for small forward Mikal Bridges. The Sixers had previously selected Bridges with the No. 10 pick but had liked Smith all along, just not as high as the 10th spot.

The Texas Tech product put up 11.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1.1 steals during his lone season in college, as he was named to the Big 12 all-defensive team.