Alperen Sengun scored a season-high 43 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 125-118 in NBA Cup play on Friday, November 13.
Houston improved to 10-3 with its third straight win. Utah fell to 1-12 after an 11th consecutive defeat, despite cutting a double-digit deficit to three points entering the fourth quarter.
Archive photo: Alperen Sengun, in Houston’s red No. 28 jersey, against Detroit at Little Caesars Arena on January 23, 2026, not the Utah game. Photo: Pikraken, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Resized and converted to WebP.
Sengun’s efficiency gives Houston its edge
Sengun made 17 of his 24 field-goal attempts. The NBA’s official game page records the final score, while the league’s Sengun highlights page confirms the 43 points as his season high.
It was his second career 40-point game, according to The Associated Press match report. His career best remains the 45 he scored against San Antonio in 2024, so Friday’s performance was a season milestone rather than a new personal scoring record.
Kevin Durant added 22 points despite shooting 5-for-14 from the field. He supplied the closing free throws as Houston protected its lead in the final seconds.
Utah made Houston work after half-time
The teams finished the opening quarter level at 27-27. Houston won the second quarter 36-26 to take a 63-53 lead into the break, with Sengun scoring nine points in that period.
The Jazz responded with a 36-point third quarter. Keyonte George scored 10 of his 27 points in the period, reducing Houston’s lead to 92-89 and leaving the game open heading into the fourth.
Darryn Peterson led Utah with 28 points, while Ace Bailey added 21. The visitors stayed close late, but Houston outscored them 33-29 in the final quarter to complete the seven-point win.
What the result means for the NBA Cup
The win leaves Houston 1-1 in NBA Cup group play with two group-stage games remaining, according to AP. That keeps the Rockets’ campaign moving, without settling qualification for the knockout stage.
Next, Houston visits Washington on Sunday, November 15. Utah hosts San Antonio the same day, seeking an end to a losing run that has continued since its only win of the season against New Orleans.
