The Houston Rockets extended their strong start to the season with a dominant 129–101 win over the Utah Jazz, and the night delivered two clear storylines. Kevin Durant returned after a two-game absence and gave one of his most efficient showings of the month, while rookie Reed Sheppard kept his spot in the starting lineup and backed it up with another steady performance.
Durant set the tone right away and found his rhythm early. He scored twenty-five points on ten-of-fourteen shooting, added six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and hit three of his four attempts from deep. His work came in only three quarters, which helped Houston build a comfortable thirty-point lead before the fourth.
This effort was a strong shift from his brief slump earlier in the month, when he had made only eighteen percent of his three-pointers over his two previous games. With more than a week between appearances, Durant looked rested and quickly stepped back into his role as the main source of stability for Houston’s offense.
Reed Sheppard Earns Starting Spot in Durant’s Triumphant Return
Even with Durant returning, head coach Ime Udoka kept Sheppard in the starting five. The rookie made good on that trust. He finished with nine points, five rebounds, four assists, four steals, and two blocks while shooting fifty percent from the field. His plus-thirty-three rating tied for the best mark of the game and showed how much he influenced both ends.
Sheppard stood out most on defense. He pressured Utah’s handlers, jumped passing lanes, and created fast-break chances for Houston. After the win, Durant praised the rookie’s growth and his ability to help the team in several ways.
#Rockets beat the Jazz 129-101 #AllFire
Kevin Durant
25 PTS
KD talked with @SportsVanessa after the @HoustonRockets WIN pic.twitter.com/gtDCmIu25s
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) November 30, 2025
Depth Continues to Define Houston’s Identity
Alperen Sengun added to his strong season with a game-high twenty-seven points on ten-of-fifteen shooting, along with five assists and four rebounds. His mix of post scoring and smart passing continues to anchor the Rockets’ half-court attack. Together, Sengun and Durant combined for thirty-four first-half points, which helped Houston take a nineteen-point lead into the break.
Houston’s defense sharpened the edge even further. The Rockets forced fourteen turnovers in the first half and turned those mistakes into seventeen points. Utah cut the gap to thirteen early in the third quarter. However, Houston answered with a twenty-four-to-three run that ended the contest before the fourth.
Houston’s depth played a major role once again. Steven Adams returned and produced thirteen points and twelve rebounds, including nine-of-ten from the line. Jabari Smith Jr. added fifteen points on efficient shooting, while Amen Thompson posted nine assists, eight rebounds, and solid defense despite a quiet scoring night.
By the end of the game, Houston had shot 52.9 percent from the field. Plus, they won the rebounding battle fifty to thirty-three. The team also collected fifteen offensive boards, keeping up one of the strengths that has defined their early-season success.
A Statement on Stability and Growth
The win pushed Houston to thirteen victories in its last fifteen games,. Not only that, but it marked the third straight time the Rockets held an opponent under one hundred points. Their stronger defense, steady scoring, and trust in the rotation have helped them build one of the most stable profiles in the West.
For Sheppard, the night added another step in his push for long-term minutes. His ability to defend, move the ball, and fit next to both Durant and Sengun gives Houston more lineup options. His spot in the starting group now reflects his play rather than circumstance.
Houston and Utah meet again on Monday in Salt Lake City for the second half of a back-to-back. With momentum on their side and Durant fully back, the Rockets aim to close November on another high note. They hope to continue the strong rhythm that has shaped their opening stretch.
Featured Image: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
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