NBA: Alperen Sengun, surging Rockets top skidding Jazz

Mar 27, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) dunks against the Utah Jazz during the second half of an NBA game at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Alperen Sengun totaled 33 points and 10 rebounds to boost the Houston Rockets to a 121-110 victory over the Utah Jazz on Thursday in the NBA.

Jalen Green added 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists as the Rockets (48-26) began a three-game road trip with their 11th win in 12 games.

Five other players reached double figures in scoring for Houston, which has had five or more players put up at least 10 points in 13 of 14 games.

READ: NBA: Alperen Sengun dominates as Rockets knock off Wizards

Houston’s Amen Thompson and Tari Eason each had 15 points, and Thompson pulled down 10 rebounds. Jabari Smith Jr. chipped in 11 points and 10 boards, and Jock Landale and Dillon Brooks each scored 10 points.

Collin Sexton led Utah (16-58) with 21 points, but the Jazz fell for the fourth consecutive outing.

Brice Sensabaugh and Keyonte George each contributed 17 points off the bench for the Jazz, while Kyle Filipowski and Isaiah Collier both had 16. George dished out a game-high eight assists.

Mar 27, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) drives against Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) during the second half of an NBA game at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Utah lost its 14th game in 15 outings despite shooting 54.4 percent from the field, including 11-for-23 (47.8 percent) from 3-point range.

The Rockets went up 103-92 with under six minutes left after a 7-0 run.

Utah responded with a 10-2 push, pulling within 105-102 with 3:36 left on a Sexton 3-pointer.

Houston quickly regained the momentum for good by scoring six straight, a surge that began and ended with baskets from Thompson.

Cody Williams put the Jazz up 2-0 by hitting a pull-up jumper, but Utah never led again. Sengun scored four points in a 7-0 Houston run, and the Rockets pulled away.

Houston built a 14-point lead in the first half, but Utah tightened things up and trailed just 53-51 at halftime thanks to a 9-2 run in the final 69 seconds.

The Rockets regained a 14-point lead in the third quarter, only to have the Jazz claw back again. Utah scored the first five points of the fourth quarter to get within 89-85 with 10:40 remaining on a Filipowski layup.

Before the game, the Jazz announced that Jordan Clarkson is out for the season after undergoing surgery to address plantar fasciitis in his left foot. –Field Level Media