Key Takeaways:
- Kevin Durant marked his return from a two-game absence with 25 points in Houston’s 129-101 win in Salt Lake City
- Alperen Sengun scored 27 points as the Rockets claimed their fifth consecutive road victory and overwhelmed Utah with transition play and pressure defence
- Houston and Utah will meet again in Salt Lake City on Monday night in the second game of the back-to-back
Rockets Control the Game Behind Durant and Sengun
Kevin Durant delivered 25 points on his return to the line-up after a two-game absence, steering the Houston Rockets to a comprehensive 129-101 triumph over the Utah Jazz on Sunday.
Alperen Sengun topped all scorers with 27 points, underpinning a dominant offensive display that secured Houston a fifth straight victory away from home. Steven Adams provided major impact from the bench with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Amen Thompson orchestrated effectively with nine assists.
Brought #AllFire to the cold 🔥 pic.twitter.com/sFF4NQUDjB
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 30, 2025
Defensive Pressure and Transition Edge
Houston’s defensive intensity set the tone throughout. The Rockets forced 17 Utah turnovers and converted those errors into 22 points. Their aggression in transition also produced a decisive advantage, as they outscored the Jazz 21-8 in fastbreak points.
The defensive effort was particularly evident against Keyonte George, whom Houston held scoreless. George went 0-of-6 from the field and committed eight turnovers, struggling to find any rhythm against the Rockets’ perimeter pressure.
| Team | Final Score | Top Scorer | Other Key Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Rockets | 129 | Alperen Sengun – 27 points | Kevin Durant – 25 points; Steven Adams – 13 points, 12 rebounds; Amen Thompson – 9 assists |
| Utah Jazz | 101 | Ace Bailey – 19 points | Lauri Markkanen – 18 points, 8 rebounds; Jusuf Nurkic – 14 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds |
First-Half Runs Put Houston in Command
Houston seized control early with a stifling defensive stretch. The Rockets limited Utah to a single field goal over a span of 6 ½ minutes in the first quarter, using that drought to engineer a 19-4 surge and establish a 30-16 advantage.
During that key stretch, Kevin Durant scored a basket, set up another, and came up with three steals, driving both ends of the floor as Houston built its initial cushion.
Utah briefly clawed back into contention in the second quarter. The Jazz trimmed the deficit to 39-31 when Ace Bailey followed up a miss and tipped in a layup. However, Houston responded emphatically with a 16-2 burst. Durant closed that run with consecutive baskets to move the Rockets ahead 55-33, restoring a commanding margin before the interval.
Third-Quarter Surge Buries Utah
The Rockets effectively settled the contest in the third period. Houston extended its lead to 98-64 late in the quarter with a powerful 24-3 run. Back-to-back baskets from Durant and Sengun ignited the stretch, and the Jazz went six minutes without scoring a single point as the gap ballooned to 34.
Jazz Leaders and Statistical Highlights
Ace Bailey led Utah with 19 points, while Lauri Markkanen contributed 18 points and eight rebounds. Jusuf Nurkic delivered an all-round performance with 14 points, nine assists and six rebounds.
Despite those contributions, the Jazz could not overcome Houston’s combination of efficient scoring, dominance in transition and disruptive defence, which collectively defined the game.
Quick Turnaround for Rematch
The two teams will reconvene swiftly. Rockets and Jazz play each other again in Salt Lake City on Monday night, offering Utah an immediate opportunity to respond and Houston a chance to extend its road-winning streak further.
