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NBA

Jabari Smith Jr. leads Rockets to 10-point victory over Jazz

Exceptional performance from Smith with 31 points and Thompson adds 20 points in an offensive showcase by the Houston Rockets against the Utah Jazz, propelling the Texas team to third place in the Western Conference.
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Jabari Smith Jr. leads Rockets to 10-point victory over Jazz

Feb 23, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) shoots against Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh (28) in the second half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Photo Credit : © Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

The Houston Rockets delivered a remarkable offensive performance with a 125-105 victory over the Utah Jazz Monday night. Jabari Smith Jr. was the main architect of this win with 31 points and 9 rebounds, tying his career high with 14 points in the first quarter alone.

An offensive showcase from the opening tip

Smith Jr. started the game perfectly by converting his first five shot attempts. The Rockets power forward finished the game with an excellent 12 of 17 from the field, including six 3-pointers. His teammate Amen Thompson provided perfect support with 20 points on 8 of 9 shooting, completing his stat line with 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.

Kevin Durant also contributed with 18 points and a season-high 12 assists, while Reed Sheppard added 15 points off the bench. This victory allows the Rockets (35-21) to climb to third place in the Western Conference, behind Oklahoma City and San Antonio.

LIRE AUSSI

Total domination despite turnovers

Houston took control of the game from the first quarter with runs of 11-2 and 10-3, building a 38-22 lead. The Rockets shot 67% from the field and converted eight 3-pointers during that opening period.

Although the Jazz attempted a comeback early in the second quarter with a 13-2 run, Houston immediately responded with an impressive 18-2 run over the next six minutes to lead 68-47 at halftime. The Rockets pushed their lead to 33 points in the second half and were never threatened, maintaining at least a 16-point advantage.

Houston scored 29 fast-break points, just one shy of their season high, but committed 27 turnovers (season high), giving the Jazz 34 points. On the Utah (18-40) side, Lauri Markkanen led his team with 29 points, while Brice Sensabaugh added 26 points off the bench with an excellent 10 of 15 shooting. The Jazz are now on a three-game losing streak and lost Vince Williams Jr. to a left knee injury in the second quarter.

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Sylvain Sultat
Sylvain Sultat follows the NBA on a daily basis, covering individual performances, team dynamics, and the league's greatest stories. On Be-Basketball, he breaks down the latest American basketball news with passion and consistency, always on the lookout for the trends shaping the world of basketball.
Jabari Smith Jr. leads Rockets to 10-point victory over Jazz