Alperen Sengun scored 43 points and recorded 12 rebounds to lead the Houston Rockets to a 125-118 victory over the Utah Jazz on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026. The win marks the 11th consecutive loss for the Jazz, who are competing in their second NBA Cup game of the new season.
Rockets Dominance in Houston
The Rockets' victory at Toyota Center was fueled by a dominant performance from Sengun, who finished the night with 43 points and 12 rebounds. Supporting the effort were Kevin Durant, who contributed 22 points and 6 assists, and Fred VanVleet, who added 17 points and 3 assists. Amen Thompson also provided significant production with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Jazz Offensive Efforts
The Jazz offense was led by a balanced effort from several players, but they could not overcome the Houston deficit. Keyonte George, recently cleared from the injury report, recorded 27 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds in 37:32 of playing time. Darryn Peterson contributed 28 points and 7 assists, while Ace Bailey added 21 points and 10 rebounds. Mo Bamba also posted 9 points and 9 rebounds during his 19:53 of play.
Frontcourt Injury Crisis
The Jazz continue to struggle with a significant injury crisis, particularly within their frontcourt. As of Nov. 13, the team is playing without several key contributors due to various medical issues. Lauri Markkanen remains out following a right hand fracture announced earlier in the week, an injury expected to sideline him for at least four weeks, and potentially longer. The injury is reportedly a different issue than the wrist injury he sustained earlier in the year.
Ongoing Medical Concerns
Other notable absences for the Jazz include Jaren Jackson Jr., who is sidelined with a right knee MCL tear, and Jusuf Nurkic, who is recovering from a right foot 2nd plantar plate tear. While Nurkic remains out, the team announced last week that the veteran center will be re-evaluated from his preseason foot injury in a couple of weeks, suggesting a potential return to the lineup in the near future.
Backcourt Health Update
The Utah Jazz injury report also includes several players listed as out due to two-way contract statuses, including Trey Alexander, Kobe Bufkin, and Harrison Ingram. In the backcourt, there is relief for the Jazz as Keyonte George has been fully removed from the injury report after recovering from a recent ankle sprain. George had previously been listed as questionable for the team's previous game against the Orlando Magic before playing.
Looking Ahead
The loss on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, leaves the Jazz looking to rebound in their four-game NBA Cup slate. The team will continue to navigate a depleted rotation as they attempt to secure their second win of the new season.
Houston Depth Plays Role
The Rockets' roster depth was on display during the matchup, with Tari Eason contributing 14 points and 11 rebounds. Bogdan Bogdanović added 11 points, and Reed Sheppard contributed 6 points. Despite the Jazz's efforts to close the gap, the Rockets maintained control to secure the win.
