Rockets Down Jazz In Uncompetitive Second Half

HOUSTON, Texas- The Houston Rockets controlled the action, showing why they are a playoff contender in a 143-105 win over the Utah Jazz.

The Rockets (50-27) hosted the Jazz (16-61) at Toyota Center on Wednesday, April 2. Houston is second in the Western Conference, two games ahead of the Denver Nuggets. Utah entered the night with the worst record in the NBA.

Next stop: H-Town 🚀

⏰ 6:00PM MT
📺 JAZZ+ | KJZZ
📻 @kslsportszone #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/WMir5QXaFe

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 2, 2025

The Jazz have split two games with Houston this season. In late February, Houston lost to the Jazz 124-115. The Rockets returned the favor on March 27 with a 121-110 win.

Pregame

Kyle's been cookin' 👨‍🍳
Third on the team for double-doubles ✅
Tied for second most double-doubles among rookies ✅#TakeNote presented by @Qualtrics pic.twitter.com/je9JnYfCld

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 2, 2025

Jazz Injury Report:

*AVAILBLE – Jaden Springer (low back; injury management) https://t.co/nVqx5XFDZ8

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 2, 2025

5,,, 4,,, 3,,, 2,,, 1,,, 🚀#StartingLineup presented by @ZionsBank pic.twitter.com/LNSLhzBoE9

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 3, 2025

First Quarter

LISTEN LIVE: @utahjazz are on the road to battle the @HoustonRockets on the @kslsports app, @KSLSportsZone and:https://t.co/wwoZPtpuMa pic.twitter.com/jiuVggFBcE

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 3, 2025

Tony Brothers confirms: Kicked… ball?

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) April 3, 2025

With 6:38 left in the first quarter the @utahjazz and @houstonrockets are tied at 13.

Jazz overcame a slow start with some solid defense. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/hXCSKIJgE3

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 3, 2025

Guard duo leads @utahjazz in first periodhttps://t.co/kDKCEpdHxy

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 3, 2025

The @houstonrockets close the first quarter on a 20-9 run and lead the @utahjazz 33-26.

Collin Sexton and Isaiah Collier have combined for 18 points on 7-9 shooting. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/aqH2yCA4KD

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 3, 2025

Second Quarter

With seven minutes left in the first half, the @utahjazz trail the @HoustonRockets 49-35.

Rockets are 6-12 from three. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/AW5figQbYk

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 3, 2025

One of the things the Jazz were really robbed of this season was the ability to stack two rim protectors in Walker Kessler and Taylor Hendricks to see what that actually does for their defense.

Jazz miss so many rotations at the rim, it's pretty brutal.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) April 3, 2025

The Jazz's non-guards are shooting 6-31 in the first half.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) April 3, 2025

At the half, the @utahjazz trail the @HoustonRockets 70-46.

Rockets outscored the Jazz 37-20 in the second quarter.
#Takenote pic.twitter.com/fkVVtWmLG5

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 3, 2025

Third Quarter

blast off in houston? he’s familiar 🚀#TakeNote | @kj__martin pic.twitter.com/y2n0QCHDiA

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 3, 2025

Through three the @utahjazz trail the @houstonrockets 102-75.

Isaiah Collier and Collin Sexton have combined for 36 points. #takenote pic.twitter.com/aWu1dtCpna

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 3, 2025

Fourth Quarter

Midway through the fourth quarter and the @utahjazz trail the @houstonrockets 119-85.

Alperen Sengun has 15 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 assists. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/L3sPiaZ2RW

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 3, 2025

The @utahjazz fall to the @HoustonRockets 143-105.

Isaiah Collier was one of the few bright spots with 22 points and 10 assists. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/6Ut6Maf9J3

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 3, 2025

Jazz Offer Injury Updates On Markkanen, Collins

In addition to the status of Cody Williams, the Jazz offered updates on Lauri Markkanen and John Collins.

Collins sprained his ankle against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 12 and has not retaken the floor since.

“Collins was re-evaluated for his left ankle sprain after progressing through initial stages of rehab,” the team said. “He will begin to ramp up his on-court basketball progression and will be re-evaluated in one week.”

Cody Williams season is done, have to keep an eye on Lauri Markkanen and John Collins. pic.twitter.com/qL3gLCsaJv

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) April 2, 2025

Markkanen has been away from the team for personal reasons before contracting an illness. Upon his preparation to return, the team diagnosed the former All-Star with a knee injury.

“Markkanen returned to Salt Lake City on March 31 for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of his left knee, which revealed patellofemoral chondrosis with associated subchondral edema, with no other structural damage. He will be re-evaluated in 7-10 days after,” the team announced.

The health concerns extend to rookie forward Cody Williams. The former Colorado guard’s season has come to an end after being diagnosed with mononucleosis.

“Williams tested positive for mononucleosis on April 1,” the team wrote in a release. “He will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season and will be re-evaluated in three weeks before starting off-season conditioning.”

The Jazz have six games remaining in the regular season, which concludes on Sunday, April 13.

Jazz-Rockets Gameday Reading

• Jazz’s Morrison Leads 2nd NBA Autism Acceptance Campaign

• Jazz Mailbag: Is There A Big Gap Between Drafting 3rd And 5th?

• Jazz Fall To Hornets, Guarantee Franchise’s First 60 Loss Season

• BYU’s Living Legends Perform Haka Before Jazz Game

• Isaiah Collier Breaks John Stockton’s Rookie Assist Record Against Hornets

• Video Shows Taylor Hendricks Shooting On Court After Ugly Injury

• Jazz Notes Standings: Where Does Utah Stand In The Final Month?

• Former Jazz Bear GoFundMe Raises Over $18k After Cancer Diagnosis

• Utah Jazz Mailbag: Where Would Kyle Filipowski Be Re-Drafted?

• Donovan Mitchell Plays Second Game In Utah Since Trade

• Rudy Gobert Shares Thoughts On Alex Jensen Becoming Head Coach At Utah

• Utah Jazz Mailbag: What To Make Of Walker Kessler Threes?

• Utah Jazz Mailbag: What Have Jazz Said About Tanking?

• Mailbag: Will Timberwolves Gift Jazz An Extra Lottery Pick?

• Ryan Smith On Rebuild: “We’re Hoping To Do Something Different From Jazz History”

• Jazz Mailbag: Should Team Have Kept Mitchell Or Gobert?

• Utah Jazz Mailbag: How Does 2025 Draft Impact Current Youth?

Follow the Utah Jazz with KSL Sports

Tonight’s game against the Rockets is being televised on KJZZ, streamed on SEG+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.

Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12 p.m. with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky. 

Find sports.ksl.com coverage of the Utah Jazz here.

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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.