Lauri Markkanen continued his torrid 2022-23 season with a game- and career-high 49 points, leading the Utah Jazz to a 131-114 win (box score) on Thursday night at Houston’s Toyota Center.
The 7-foot Finnish forward shot 15-of-27 from the field (55.6%), 6-of-15 from 3-point range (40%) and 13-of-13 on free throws.
The Rockets (10-29), who remain in last place in the Western Conference, have lost six straight games and 11 of 12 overall. The Jazz (20-21) snapped a five-game losing streak.
Jalen Green led Houston in defeat with 30 points and 4 assists, making 10-of-11 from the free-throw line (90.9%). It was Green’s first 30-point game since a Dec. 11 victory versus Milwaukee.
Alperen Sengun added 20 points (50% FG) and 14 rebounds, while Kevin Porter Jr. had 23 points and 6 assists. Jae’Sean Tate returned from a multi-month absence due to a right ankle injury and scored 11 points in 19 reserve minutes, making 5-of-8 shots (62.5%) overall.
Scroll on for highlights, analysis and postgame interview reaction. Houston concludes its two-game homestand on Sunday versus Minnesota. The tip from Toyota Center is 6 p.m. Central.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
Stephen Silas really pleased with Jae’Sean Tate’s defense, energy and ball handling tonight. Less pleased with the Rockets’ defense and the fact that Lauri Markkanen took 13 free throws.
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) January 6, 2023
It was 110-106 with 5:35 left the Rockets were outscored 21-6 to end the game. Rockets made 2 shots in the last 6 minutes, and Lauri Markkanen outscored the Rockets by himself 14-6 in that time frame. Another bad loss for the Rockets
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) January 6, 2023
This is the first time this season that Eric Gordon has been available for both games of a back-to-back. Stephen Silas said Gordon’s health has been improving lately and he hopes this will be the norm moving forward.
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) January 5, 2023
Jalen and Kevin shot 16/46 tonight. The #Rockets took 92 shots total.
So Kevin and Jalen took exactly half of the total shot attempts and shot less than 35%. Damn shame that this happens all too often.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) January 6, 2023
WELCOME BACK JAE'SEAN TATE@o_tate_ vs Utah
19 MIN / 11 PTS / 5-8 FG
2 REB / 2 AST / 2 STL#Rockets @HoustonRockets pic.twitter.com/GdVgUzaS38— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) January 6, 2023
Jae'Sean Tate has such a positive impact on this #Rockets team.
Energy, playmaking, defense, high-IQ.
He does so much that doesn't show up in the box score, like boxing out Markkanen for Jabari to get the board or telling guys what spots to be in offensively.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) January 6, 2023
Alperen Sengun tonight vs Utah@alperennsengun 20 PTS / 14 REB@HoustonRockets #Rockets pic.twitter.com/koEWxbK4Fs
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) January 6, 2023
This version of Lauri Markkanen is who Jabari Smith needs to be in 5-7 years
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) January 6, 2023
Another game, another loss.
Jae'Sean Tate returned and was excellent with 11/2/2/2. Sengun with a 20 point double double and it didn't feel like he was playing well, KPJalen with volume numbers. Markkkanen dropped 50.
Was this enough to get Silas out of here?
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) January 6, 2023
Jabari Smith not closing this game is interesting
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) January 6, 2023
Jae'Sean Tate is the best midseason addition any team in the NBA will make this year
— Nathan Fogg (@NathanFogg1) January 6, 2023
Alperen Sengun on Jae’Sean Tate: “I'm so glad he's back because he’s my like best friend on the team. He's always helping the team, he’s giving energy like he’s a second captain of the team.”
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) January 6, 2023
The #Rockets (10-29) are now tied with Charlotte for the worst record in the NBA. They also are one game worse than their pace from last season (11-28).
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 6, 2023
#Rockets fall to the Jazz 131-114
Next up for the @HoustonRockets Minnesota on Sunday pic.twitter.com/jLhunVpvVP
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) January 6, 2023
Jae'Sean Tate talks about his return after missing the last 31 games with an ankle injury@o_tate_ tonight vs Utah
🏀19 MIN
🏀11 PTS
🏀5-8 FG
🏀2 REB
🏀2 AST
🏀2 STL@HoustonRockets #Rockets pic.twitter.com/1IfeUuvbNK— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) January 6, 2023
Jae'Sean Tate talks his leadership role on the @houstonrockets @o_tate_ made this return tonight after missing 31 games with an ankle injury#Rockets pic.twitter.com/dWv1SHfeVb
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) January 6, 2023
Stephen Silas:”I understand the ins & outs of being the head coach of a rebuilding team.I understand there's frustration n the locker room,in the coaches room,w/the fans..but I'm gonna be the one who's gonna be positive..This is going to be a fun thing once we get it altogether” pic.twitter.com/Afyy6QmPad
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) January 6, 2023
Jae'Sean Tate credited his Rockets teammates, particularly the "young guys," for working out with him.
"I know it's a lot of games, but for them to come in and be willing to play with me and try to get me into game shape, that speaks volumes and that's what being a team is."
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) January 6, 2023
Silas on Tate in the backcourt 2/2: "We got to just make sure we have shooting on the floor with him, but he's plug and play wherever we need him. Whether it's the one-man, the five-man, whatever, he's he has the ability to make an impact." https://t.co/0NcZDMTYLK
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) January 6, 2023
