Key Takeaways:
- Jabari Smith Jr. produced 31 points and nine rebounds as the Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 125-105
- Houston’s win elevated them to third place in the Western Conference, trailing only Oklahoma City and San Antonio
- Lauri Markkanen scored 29 points for Utah, who have now lost three consecutive games
Match Summary and Momentum Shifts
Jabari Smith Jr. put in a commanding display, scoring 31 points and collecting nine rebounds for the Houston Rockets in their comprehensive 125-105 win against the Utah Jazz on Monday evening. Amen Thompson also impressed, contributing 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals whilst shooting 8-for-9 from the floor.
Smith began the contest strongly, sinking his first five attempts from the field and equalling his career-best with 14 points in the opening quarter. He finished the game converting 12 out of 17 shots, which included six successful three-pointers.
Got the W ☑️#AllFire pic.twitter.com/0btD8z1vvx
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) February 24, 2026
Key Player Contributions
Thompson maintained efficiency throughout, going 8-of-9 from the field. Kevin Durant posted 18 points alongside a season-high 12 assists, while Reed Sheppard offered valuable support off the bench with 15 points.
For Utah, Lauri Markkanen led all scorers for his team with 29 points, and Brice Sensabaugh impressed on 10-for-15 shooting, adding 26 points from the bench.
First Half Domination
Despite nine turnovers in the first quarter, the Rockets established their dominance early, orchestrating runs of 11-2 and 10-3 to take a 38-22 advantage after one period. The Rockets were highly efficient, connecting on 67% of their shots including eight made three-pointers in the opening frame.
The Jazz looked to shift momentum with a 13-2 surge to open the second quarter, but Houston replied with an 18-2 stretch across the next six minutes, entering halftime with a comfortable 68-47 lead.
Second Half and Statistical Highlights
Houston extended its lead up to 33 points during the second half and never saw their advantage drop below 16 points. The Rockets finished with 29 fast-break points, just one shy of their season best. However, their aggressive tempo resulted in a season-high 27 turnovers, which Utah converted into 34 points.
| Top Performers | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jabari Smith Jr. (HOU) | 31 | 9 | 0 |
| Amen Thompson (HOU) | 20 | 7 | 3 |
| Kevin Durant (HOU) | 18 | 5 | 12 |
| Reed Sheppard (HOU) | 15 | 3 | 4 |
| Lauri Markkanen (UTA) | 29 | 3 | 2 |
| Brice Sensabaugh (UTA) | 26 | 3 | 1 |
Injuries and Outlook
Jazz forward Vince Williams Jr. suffered a left knee injury during the second quarter and had to be helped to the locker room, not returning to action. Jazz head coach Will Hardy confirmed Williams will undergo an MRI.
The Jazz (18-40) have now dropped three consecutive matches. Their next fixtures are home games against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday and Saturday. Meanwhile, the Rockets (35-21) will host the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.
