Keyonte George delivered a career-defining performance with 30 points, igniting the Utah Jazz’s 124-115 comeback victory over the Houston Rockets on Saturday. Lauri Markkanen bolstered the effort with 23 points and 10 rebounds, snapping Utah’s two-game skid in a game defined by explosive runs and clutch plays.
The Jazz dominated the paint, outscoring Houston 66-36, while Walker Kessler (11 points, 17 rebounds) and Isaiah Collier (12 points, 10 assists) delivered critical support. Houston’s Alperen Sengun (27 points, 12 rebounds) and Jalen Green (25 points, 10 assists) fought valiantly but faltered late as Utah’s 21-5 fourth-quarter surge sealed their fate.
Game-Changing Moments:
- George scored 20 first-half points, singlehandedly keeping Utah competitive.
- A 13-2 Rockets run in the second quarter gave them a 45-40 lead, but Markkanen’s third-quarter burst (13-5 Jazz run) shifted momentum.
- Houston committed three fourth-quarter turnovers, squandering a 96-89 advantage.
With 5:59 remaining, Cody Williams’ layup capped Utah’s 21-5 rally, extending their lead to 110-101. George’s pull-up three-pointer shortly after cemented the Jazz’s control, highlighting his clutch scoring. Utah’s paint dominance and Houston’s late-game errors proved decisive.
“This win was about resilience,” said Jazz coach Will Hardy postgame. “Keyonte’s leadership kept us steady when we needed it most.”
Houston, now 0-3 in clutch games this season, faces Milwaukee next. Utah hosts Portland on Monday, aiming to build on this momentum.
