Just 24 hours after steamrolling the Jazz in Salt Lake City, the Rockets found themselves on the wrong end of a 133-125 loss in the same building on Monday night. The back-to-back setup, same teams, same court - but a completely different outcome. Houston dropped to 13-5 on the season, while Utah improved to 7-13 with a performance that flipped the script in more ways than one.
One of the biggest changes? No Steven Adams.
The veteran big man sat this one out for rest, and his absence was felt - especially on the glass. On Sunday, Houston dominated the boards with a +17 rebounding margin.
On Monday, Utah turned the tables, winning the battle 50-46. The Jazz came out with more energy, more physicality, and a clear mission to respond after getting blown out the night before.
“They played harder from the beginning, and they were the more physical team on both ends,” Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said postgame. “They were the aggressor.”
That aggression showed up early and often. Utah built a 21-point lead late in the third quarter, and while Houston made a late push - trimming the deficit to just one in the fourth - it wasn’t enough.
The Rockets’ defense, which had been so stingy during their recent three-game winning streak, couldn’t hold up down the stretch. Fatigue set in, fouls piled up, and the Jazz took advantage.
To put it in perspective, Houston had been holding opponents under 100 points per game during that win streak. On Monday, they gave up 133. That’s not just a step back - it’s a full-on stumble for a team that still ranks top three in the NBA in net defensive rating.
Still, there were some standout performances in the box score.
Kevin Durant led the way with 32 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, though he also turned it over five times and shot just 40% from the field. His 10-of-12 clip at the free-throw line helped keep Houston afloat during the comeback attempt.
Alperen Sengun continues to evolve into a do-it-all force. He nearly posted a triple-double with 31 points, 14 assists, 8 rebounds, and 5 blocks - all while shooting a blistering 63.2% from the floor. His passing out of the post and rim protection were bright spots in an otherwise uneven defensive effort.
Amen Thompson added 23 points, 8 boards, and 2 blocks of his own, showcasing his athleticism and ability to impact the game on both ends. He got to the line nine times and knocked down seven, a promising sign for the rookie’s development.
On the Utah side, Keyonte George bounced back in a big way. After going scoreless with eight turnovers in Sunday’s loss, the rookie guard exploded for 28 points and 8 assists on 57.1% shooting. His aggressiveness and ability to control the tempo gave the Jazz a much-needed spark.
Lauri Markkanen chipped in with 29 points and 8 rebounds, continuing his strong season with efficient shooting and timely buckets. He hit 9-of-17 from the field and was nearly automatic from the line.
This marked Houston’s first back-to-back of the season, and the second leg clearly tested their legs and focus. And the schedule doesn’t ease up - another back-to-back is coming later this week, with a home game against the Suns on Friday followed by a trip to Dallas on Saturday.
For now, the Rockets head back to Houston with a 2-2 split on their four-game road trip. They’ll look to regroup at Toyota Center, where they’ve been dominant so far this season.
Next up: a Wednesday night matchup with the struggling Sacramento Kings (5-16). Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
Central, with coverage on Space City Home Network and NBA League Pass.
After a tough night in Utah, the Rockets will be eager to remind everyone why they’ve been one of the league’s early-season surprises.