HOUSTON -- Coming off one of their most frustrating losses of the 2025-26 season, Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. made sure there was no hangover effect in Monday’s 125-105 victory (box score) over the rebuilding Jazz.
With a blowout win at home, Houston (35-21) moved back into the No. 3 spot in the tightly packed Western Conference standings. Utah (18-40) remains at No. 13 among 15 teams.
Key individual statistics were as follows:
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 31 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, 3 steals; 12-of-17 shooting (70.6%), 6-of-11 on 3-pointers (54.5%)
- Kevin Durant: 18 points, 12 assists, 5 rebounds; 7-of-13 shooting (53.8%), 4-of-6 on 3-pointers (66.7%)
- Amen Thompson: 20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists; 8-of-8 shooting, 4-of-5 on free throws (80.0%)
- Alperen Sengun: 16 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists; 7-of-12 shooting (58.3%)
- Reed Sheppard: 15 points, 4 assists; 5-of-9 on 3-pointers (55.6%)
- Lauri Markkanen (Jazz): 29 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals; 10-of-23 shooting (43.5%), 8-of-8 on free throws
Next up for the Rockets is Wednesday’s finale of a brief two-game homestand at Toyota Center. Tipoff versus the Sacramento Kings (13-46), who own the NBA’s worst record this season, is at 7:00 p.m. Central.
The game will be broadcast regionally on Space City Home Network and nationally via NBA League Pass.
Final: Rockets 125, Jazz 105
— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) February 24, 2026
Jabari Smith goes for 31 points and 9 rebounds -- his 2nd game with 30+ points this season. Amen Thompson had 20 points on 8-8 shooting. Kevin Durant had 18 points and a season-high assists.
Rockets win convincingly but they also finish with a…
Season-high 26 turnovers for Houston in what’s shaping out to be a blowout win over Utah. All of this is very strange.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) February 24, 2026
Jabari Smith in his last 10 games:
— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) February 24, 2026
18.6 ppg
7.5 rpg
1.4 bpg
55.0 FG%
48.3 3PT%
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets return to No. 3 in West as Jabari Smith Jr. silences Jazz