Alperen Sengun scored 43 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Houston Rockets held off the Utah Jazz 125-118 in NBA Cup play on Friday night.
The victory handed the Jazz their 11th consecutive loss. Sengun delivered his second career 40-point game on efficient 17-of-24 shooting from the floor.
The Rockets needed the offensive boost because Kevin Durant endured a difficult shooting night, finishing with 22 points on 5-of-14 from the field, NBA.com reported. Sengun’s previous career high of 45 points came during the 2024 season against the San Antonio Spurs.
The teams were tied at 27 after the first quarter before Sengun contributed nine points in the second period. That burst helped the Rockets build a 63-53 lead heading into halftime.
- Sengun’s efficiency makes him a top-tier fantasy asset while Houston manages Durant’s shooting slumps.
- Keyonte George continues to absorb high offensive volume for Utah, cementing his status as a primary fantasy catalyst.
- The win lifts Houston to 1-1 in NBA Cup group play with two games remaining, directly impacting their advancement odds.
The Jazz mounted a strong response in the third quarter. Keyonte George scored 10 of his 27 points during the frame to slash Houston’s advantage to 92-89 entering the fourth.
Utah kept the pressure on down the stretch, pulling within two possessions in the final minute of regulation. Durant ultimately iced the contest by sinking a pair of free throws in the closing seconds.
Darryn Peterson led the Jazz with 28 points, while teammate Ace Bailey chipped in 21. Utah’s lone win of the season remains their second outing against New Orleans.
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UTA | 27 | 26 | 36 | 29 | 118 |
| HOU | 27 | 36 | 29 | 33 | 125 |
Houston has now won its last three games overall to improve to 10-3 on the season. The Rockets sit at 1-1 in NBA Cup group play with two group-stage fixtures left on the schedule.
The struggling Jazz fall to 1-12 as they look to snap their lengthy skid. Utah will host the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, while the Rockets travel to play the Washington Wizards on Sunday.
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
