Utah Jazz Suffer Scary Injury In Loss To Rockets
Feb 23, 2026, 9:58 PM | Updated: 10:05 pm
Head coach Will Hardy of the Utah Jazz (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz dropped their third contest, falling to the Houston Rockets 125-105 to conclude a two-game road trip.
Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 29 points as he returned from an illness that caused him to miss the team’s Friday night loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Jabari Smith Jr. paced the Rockets with 31.
Rockets Take Advantage Of Depleted Utah Jazz Frontcourt
If opponents want a blueprint for beating the Jazz the rest of the season, Monday’s loss in Houston is a good place to start.
With Chris Haynes reporting that Jusuf Nurkic will miss the remainder of the season as he prepares for nose surgery later this week, and Jaren Jackson Jr. and Walker Kessler already out for the year due to knee and shoulder surgeries, the Jazz will close the season with the top three centers on the roster relegated to the injury report.
Related: Jusuf Nurkic To Miss Remainder Of Season For Utah Jazz
Without their biggest bodies protecting the paint, the Rockets attacked the rim at will, shooting 12–14 inside three feet in the first half while building a 68–47 lead.
euro to the reverse slam = too tough 🤌 https://t.co/vjvR3g3u8O pic.twitter.com/h6PHKk8LTh
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) February 24, 2026
Houston cooled slightly after halftime, but still finished 18-22 at the basket and 27–37 overall in the paint.
The Jazz have an open roster spot and could sign another big man to help at the rim. Until then, they must rely on Lauri Markkanen, Kyle Filipowski, and Kevin Love to anchor the defense.
As long as those three remain their primary options, opposing offenses will treat the Jazz’s defense like a layup line.
Vince Williams Jr. Leaves Game With Scary Knee Injury
Three minutes into the second quarter, Jazz guard Vince Williams Jr. suffered a gruesome knee injury while sprinting back on defense after a Brice Sensabaugh turnover.
Rockets wing Tari Eason lowered his shoulder and knocked Williams Jr. off balance, causing him to land awkwardly and hyperextend his knee.
Williams Jr., acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies in the Jackson Jr. trade, had to be carried off the floor by two members of Jazz security and was quickly ruled out for the rest of the game.
What is Tari Eason doing here?
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 24, 2026
The 25-year-old guard has built his NBA career as a feisty, multi-position defender in the backcourt, an area the Jazz will need to improve as they aim to return to the playoffs next season.
With Walker Kessler, Nurkic, and Jackson Jr. already out for the season because of injuries, the Jazz were facing a bench short on veteran depth, especially on defense.
The team has not released an official update on Williams Jr.’s knee, but his absence could significantly impact the Jazz’s depth chart if he is unavailable at the start of next season.
Williams Jr. has a $2.5 million team option next season, an affordable deal for his role and one the Jazz were likely to exercise if he remained healthy.
If his injury proves more serious, his future with the team could be uncertain.
The Ohio native averaged 5.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists in five appearances with the Jazz this season.
Next Utah Jazz Broadcast
The Jazz will return home to face the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at 7 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.
