Key Takeaways:
- Lauri Markkanen led the Utah Jazz with 29 points as they overcame the Houston Rockets 133-125
- Keyonte George responded from a scoreless outing on Sunday by contributing 28 points and eight assists
- Alperen Sengun delivered 31 points and matched his career high with 14 assists for the Rockets, whose five-game road winning run ended
Match Analysis
The Utah Jazz bounced back from a heavy defeat the previous night with a commanding performance, securing a 133-125 win over the Houston Rockets at home. Lauri Markkanen set the tone with 29 points, while Keyonte George supplied a season-best display after struggling the previous evening. The Jazz maintained control for most of the match, responding positively after a 129-101 loss to the same opponent twenty-four hours earlier.
Houston’s Kevin Durant found his stride late, recording 16 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter, but Utah withstood the surge to take the victory. Alperen Sengun starred for the visitors, notching 31 points and equalling his career-high assist total of 14, while Amen Thompson added 23 points to the Rockets’ tally.
now that's how you bounce back 🥳#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/3WRjmGwV0f
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 2, 2025
Key Player Contributions
Keyonte George rebounded emphatically from a zero-point, eight-turnover outing on Sunday, posting 28 points off 8-of-14 shooting and distributing eight assists. His clutch performance in the closing moments, including 5-of-6 free throws and a crucial steal, proved decisive for Utah.
Jusuf Nurkic contributed a season-high 18 points and secured nine rebounds before fouling out, while Ace Bailey added 13 points. The Jazz’s collective effort improved their home record to 6-6, moving their overall mark to 6-13.
Utah’s offensive execution shone through, frequently exploiting Houston’s usually robust defence with well-timed passes for open looks. The Jazz capitalised on the Rockets’ lack of interior presence – with Steven Adams sitting out, Utah collected 24 second-chance points.
Turning Points and Defensive Struggles
The Jazz appeared in complete control, pushing their advantage to 98-77 following Nurkic’s hook shot with 1:37 left in the third quarter. However, Houston responded with a fierce 12-0 burst, narrowing the gap to 98-89 thanks to three steals in the final 97 seconds of the period.
The Rockets, previously allowing just 97.7 points per game during a three-game win streak, struggled to maintain their defensive standards and were repeatedly late in defensive rotations.
In the fourth quarter, the Rockets’ defensive woes mounted, committing five fouls in a 36-second sequence without regaining possession. This placed the Jazz in the bonus, and George capitalised at the line to secure the result.
| Player | Team | Points | Assists | Rebounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lauri Markkanen | Utah Jazz | 29 | 0 | 8 |
| Keyonte George | Utah Jazz | 28 | 8 | 4 |
| Jusuf Nurkic | Utah Jazz | 18 | 2 | 9 |
| Kevin Durant | Houston Rockets | 32 | 5 | 9 |
| Alperen Sengun | Houston Rockets | 31 | 14 | 8 |
| Amen Thompson | Houston Rockets | 23 | 3 | 8 |
Upcoming Fixtures
- The Houston Rockets will host the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday
- The Utah Jazz will be on the road against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday
