Jazz Blown Out by Rockets: Player Grades and Takeaways from a Tough Night in Houston
The Utah Jazz ran into a buzzsaw in Houston, falling to the Rockets 129-101 in a game where little went right outside of a few bright spots. Let’s break down how each player performed in the loss - the good, the bad, and everything in between.
Svi Mykhailiuk | Grade: B
Svi did what he’s known for - spaced the floor, knocked down shots, and gave effort on defense. He’s not going to change the trajectory of a game, but he’s the kind of role player who fills gaps.
Need a shooter to keep the defense honest? He’s got you.
Need someone to give you 15 solid minutes without hurting your flow? That’s Mykhailiuk.
He doesn’t elevate the team around him, but he doesn’t drag it down either. On a night where the Jazz were searching for answers, he at least gave them consistency.
Lauri Markkanen | Grade: C-
Markkanen’s line - 18 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist - looks fine on paper. But this wasn’t the impact performance Utah needed from its franchise cornerstone.
Against one of the league’s top defenses, Markkanen struggled to assert himself, and the Rockets made him work for every touch. For a player with All-Star ambitions and a contract to match, these are the nights where he has to rise above the pressure.
Instead, he faded. The Jazz need more from their centerpiece, especially in games like this.
Jusuf Nurkic | Grade: A-
Nurkic was quietly putting together a triple-double in just 19 minutes before the game got out of hand and he sat the fourth quarter. His line - 14 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists - speaks to the kind of all-around presence he’s brought to Utah this season.
He’s been steady, productive, and savvy, and performances like this one are a big reason why his name is starting to pop up in trade rumors. He’s playing winning basketball, even when the team isn’t.
Ace Bailey | Grade: A
This was a breakout performance from Bailey, who looked like the most dynamic player on the floor for Utah. He finished with 8-of-12 shooting from the field, including 3-of-5 from deep, and somehow posted a +2 net rating in a game the Jazz lost by 28.
That’s not easy to do. Bailey showed real shot creation ability, moved well off the ball, and made smart passes.
At times, he was even too unselfish. But that’s a good problem to have with a young player - it means he sees the floor, trusts his teammates, and plays the right way.
The Jazz may have something special here.
Keyonte George | Grade: F
This one’s tough. George clearly wasn’t himself, and the numbers reflect that - 0 points, 2 assists, and 8 turnovers.
It was a rough outing from start to finish, and it raises a fair question: why was he out there if he wasn’t healthy or locked in? Nights like this happen to young guards, but this one was particularly brutal.
Brice Sensabaugh | Grade: C-
The shooting woes continued for Sensabaugh, but he found other ways to contribute. He grabbed three boards, dished out a couple of assists, and added two steals.
He even threw down a highlight dunk. It wasn’t a strong offensive performance, but he didn’t disappear, and that matters.
The Jazz need him to find his rhythm soon, but at least he’s staying engaged.
Kyle Anderson | Grade: C
Anderson’s impact was limited by early foul trouble, which kept him from finding any real rhythm. Still, he brought his usual mix of defense, passing, and veteran savvy when he was on the floor.
He’s not going to carry the offense, but he’s a stabilizer off the bench. Unfortunately, foul issues cut his night short before he could make a bigger dent.
Kyle Filipowski | Grade: D+
Filipowski just couldn’t get anything going. His touch was off both inside and out, and he struggled to find a rhythm on either end.
He did manage to grab a few boards and notch an assist, but overall, this was a game he’ll want to forget. Like much of the Jazz roster, he looked outmatched against Houston’s second unit.
Isaiah Collier | Grade: D+
Collier wasn’t moving like himself, and it showed. He was dealing with some sort of injury and couldn’t make much of an impact outside of a few assists.
Defensively, he struggled to contain the Rockets' pace, and the second unit got blitzed during his minutes. It’s hard to judge too harshly given the circumstances, but this wasn’t his night.
Walter Clayton Jr. | Grade: C-
Clayton’s recent stretch has been rocky, but this was a step in the right direction. He shot the ball efficiently, played solid defense, and handed out five assists.
His -4 net rating actually stood out as one of the better marks on the team in a blowout loss, which tells you he was doing something right. The Jazz would love to see more of this version of Clayton moving forward.
Final Word
This was a lopsided loss, no question. The Rockets are one of the league’s most disciplined and athletic squads, and they exposed Utah’s weaknesses at every level.
But even in a blowout, there were glimpses of growth - especially from players like Bailey and Nurkic. For the Jazz, the challenge now is finding consistency and figuring out who’s part of the long-term picture.
Nights like this sting, but they also teach.