Durant Returns with 25 Points Marking a Milestone! Rockets Secure Third Straight Win Over Jazz, Sengun Scores 27, Adams Posts Double-Double

On December 1st Beijing time, the Rockets cruised to a 129-101 road victory over the Jazz, marking their third straight win. Durant came back after sitting out two games for personal reasons, hitting 10 of 14 shots including 3 of 4 from beyond the arc, finishing with 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. He also achieved a career milestone by passing English to become 11th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Sengun scored 27 points, while Adams recorded a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. The Rockets led by 19 at halftime and continued to pull away in the second half for a comfortable victory.

Statistics

Rockets: Sengun 27 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists; Durant 25 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals; Smith Jr. 15 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists; Adams 13 points, 12 rebounds; Shepard 9 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, 2 blocks; Amen 5 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists; Holiday 11 points; Okogie 7 points, 5 rebounds; Tate 7 points; Capela 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks

Jazz: Bailey 19 points; Markkanen 18 points, 8 rebounds; Nurkic 14 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists; Mikailuk 11 points; Filipovski 12 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists; Sensaibo 10 points; Clayton 8 points, 5 assists; Lee Kyle 7 points, 3 assists, 3 steals; George 0 points (0-for-6 shooting)

Player of the Game

Sengun and Durant were in great form, leading the team to a decisive win over the Jazz.

Milestone

Durant hit a mid-range jumper in the first quarter, marking his 10,660th career basket, which pushed him past English to become 11th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. The 10th spot is held by Rockets legend Olajuwon with 10,749 baskets.

Game Recap

In the first quarter, Bailey, Durant, Smith Jr., and Nurkic all hit three-pointers in succession. Shepard stole the ball and scored on the fast break, Nurkic scored on a floater. Sengun scored with a hook shot, Durant made a mid-range jumper, Okogie and Shepard both sank three-pointers, sparking a 12-0 run for the Rockets who took a double-digit lead. Collier and Nurkic scored consecutively, Holiday nailed a three-pointer, and Markkanen scored the Jazz’s first points from free throws. After the first quarter, the Rockets led 30-21 over the Jazz.

In the second quarter, Lee Kyle scored on a hook shot, Sengun scored 4 quick points, Amen made a layup, Markkanen scored mid-range, Holiday hit another three-pointer, Durant scored on a layup, Filipovski and Shepard exchanged dunks, and Durant scored 8 straight points, extending the lead to 22. Bailey scored 4 points in a row, while Sengun and Adams responded inside. Sensaibo completed a and-one and followed with a dunk, Bailey hit a three-pointer, and by halftime the Rockets led 67-48. Durant returned in good form with 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals by halftime.

After halftime, Sengun, Shepard, and Durant scored consecutive mid-range shots, while Mikailuk, Markkanen, and Nurkic also responded. Markkanen scored 4 points in a row, Bailey hit a three-pointer, but the Jazz still trailed by 13. Durant scored a mid-range jumper, Sengun completed an and-one, Markkanen and Smith Jr. traded three-pointers, Adams blocked Sensaibo and then threw down a dunk over Filipovski. Holiday nailed another three-pointer, Durant scored again on a mid-range jumper, and the Rockets stretched the lead to 34 points. Lee Kyle and Markkanen scored dunks, and after three quarters, the Rockets led 98-68.

In the final quarter, Clayton scored on a layup, Filipovski completed a 2+1 dunk, Sengun scored 8 straight points, and Smith Jr. dunked. Capela dunked, and Mikailuk hit a three-pointer. With just over 7 minutes remaining, the Rockets rested all their starters as the game entered garbage time. Ultimately, the Rockets comfortably defeated the Jazz to claim their third consecutive win.

Starting Lineups

Rockets: Shepard, Amen, Durant, Smith Jr., Sengun

Jazz: George, Bailey, Mikailuk, Markkanen, Nurkic