Utah Jazz Stars Bounce Back In Impressive Win Over Rockets
Dec 1, 2025, 10:27 PM | Updated: 10:32 pm
Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) looks on before an NBA game against the Houston Rockets (Credit: Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News)
(Credit: Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz bounced back from Sunday’s blowout loss to the Houston Rockets, defeating the same opponent 133-125 to split the two-game series.
Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George combined for 57 points to fend off a late Rockets rally.
The Jazz led by 21 late in the third period, but the Rockets trimmed the gap to as few as one point before the comeback fell short.
Related: Rockets Beat Jazz in Two-Game Series Opener
Markkanen, George Carry Utah Jazz Past Rockets
On Sunday, the Jazz’s two best players struggled against Houston’s defense.
Markkanen scored a quiet 18 points on 5-12 shooting, hitting just 1-5 from three in the lopsided loss. George had arguably the worst game of his career, going scoreless in 19 minutes and committing eight turnovers.
On Monday, the duo looked completely different.
Markkanen regained his All-Star form, scoring 29 points on 9-17 shooting, hitting 2-3 from deep, and attacking the rim aggressively. That aggression earned him 11 trips to the free-throw line, while adding eight rebounds in the win.
George started slowly again on Monday, scoring only two points on 1-4 shooting in the first quarter.
Then he erupted, dropping 11 points in the second quarter capped by a highlight-reel dunk, and adding 15 more in the second half.
put a little extra sauce on this one, just for you 🍝#TakeNote | @keyonte1george pic.twitter.com/BVxQlVxidg
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 2, 2025
He even delivered a key defensive play late, stealing an Amen Thompson pass to help seal the win.
“Yesterday wasn’t us. Today, we played Jazz basketball, we played team basketball, the fans deserve it,” George said. “Yesterday wasn’t us. So today, we had to come with energy.”
George finished with 28 points, eight assists, and four rebounds.
The return to form signaled growth for both Markkanen and George, who had been stifled by Houston on Sunday. The Jazz will face adversity as they climb out of this rebuild, but performances like this from their stars will accelerate the process.
Bailey, Clayton Jr. Shine in Career-Best Performances
Ace Bailey didn’t post his highest scoring night, but he may have played his most complete game. From the opening tip, the Jazz’s prized lottery pick impressed—breaking up a Kevin Durant fastbreak with a defensive stop, then sprinting in transition to find Jusuf Nurkic for an easy assist.
Bailey showcased playmaking rarely seen during his lone season at Rutgers, repeatedly punishing Houston’s poor pick-and-roll defense. He finished with 13 points, three rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals in 28 minutes.
big fans of this rookie/vet duo 🥰#TakeNote | @bosnianbeast27 pic.twitter.com/PdeRZqLpcX
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 2, 2025
Walt Clayton Jr., the Jazz’s other first-round pick, was equally impressive. He attacked Houston’s flat-footed defense in the second quarter, recording five points, three rebounds, and three assists while playing all 12 minutes.
“It’s his best game as a pro by far,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “He played really decisive basketball on both sides. Came up with a couple of big rebounds, six assists—found Lowry in transition for a big three late—had some great drives downhill in the first half. So I’m really happy for Walt.”
Clayton Jr. hit 1-3 from three, his first make since November 11. He earned most of the second-unit guard minutes in the second half and finished with eight points, six assists, and five rebounds in 21 minutes.
Next Utah Jazz Broadcast
The Jazz will travel to face the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
