Alperen Sengun dominates in Utah as Rockets extend lead in West playoff race
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Houston began a three-game road trip with Thursday's 121-110 victory (box score) in Utah. For the Rockets, it's the 11th win in their last 12 games.
Houston (48-26) remains at No. 2 in the Western Conference standings, while the Jazz (16-58) are still in last place. With losses by the No. 4 Lakers and No. 5 Grizzlies (both 44-29), the Rockets extended their lead to 3.5 games for a top-four seed and home-court advantage in at least the first round of the 2025 playoffs. Only eight regular-season games remain for the Rockets, who own the tiebreaker versus Memphis and currently lead it versus Los Angeles (1-0 head-to-head with two games left to play).
The big individual story for the Rockets was All-Star center Alperen Sengun, who dominated his matchup versus Utah's Walker Kessler with a game-high 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks. He shot 11-of-19 from the field (57.9%) and 11-of-13 on free throws (84.6%).
Alperen Sengun put in WORK to give the Rockets their 11th win in 12 games!
💪 33 PTS
💪 10 REB
💪 2 BLK pic.twitter.com/PxEMs1DKol— NBA (@NBA) March 28, 2025
Other statistics of note included:
- Jalen Green: 21 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists; 8-of-20 shooting (40.0%), 4-of-10 on 3-pointers (40.0%)
- Tari Eason: 15 points, 6 rebounds; 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%), 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60.0%)
- Amen Thompson: 15 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals; 7-of-11 shooting (63.6%)
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 11 points, 10 rebounds; 4-of-12 shooting (33.3%)
- Dillon Brooks: 10 points, 3 assists; 2-of-4 from 3-point range (50.0%)
Thompson returned from a one-game absence due to left ankle soreness, though backup center Steven Adams sat out with right wrist pain.
Second-year wing prospect Brice Sensabaugh was outstanding for the Jazz with 17 points and 4 rebounds in 24 minutes, making all six of his shot attempts and going 5-of-5 from 3-point range.
March 27 Rockets-Jazz Complete Highlights
March 27 Postgame Reaction and Interviews
This is ridiculous company for Jalen Green.
6th youngest player since the Merger to join this group. pic.twitter.com/7RveRO76FP— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) March 28, 2025
Jalen-to-Sengun pick and roll and this one is on ice pic.twitter.com/Z3P7c4AjZq— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) March 28, 2025
Jalen Green entered for Fred at the 7:40 mark w/the #Rockets up 94-90
Went 3-4 (1-2 on 3s), 1-1 on FTs, w/4 asts, 2 rebounds, a +7, & no TOs to key a 27-20 finish
Scored or assisted on 16 of the final 27 points. (Fred didn't re-enter)
Love Ime trusting him— Don Dougan (@don_dougan) March 28, 2025
Grown man basketball https://t.co/ALRsDNKt1a— Ryan Hollins (@TheRyanHollins) March 28, 2025
Alperen Sengun in March:
20.1 PPG
10.3 RPG
5.2 APG
54.1% FG
11-3 W/L pic.twitter.com/dhHqQnGZdQ— StatMamba (@StatMamba) March 28, 2025
Rockets win, Lakers lose, Rockets' magic number for a top-3 seed and avoiding OKC's side of bracket (I don't know if they care about that) is 6.
Magic number for playoff spot is 4— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) March 28, 2025
“This is a great team. Everybody wants to win. We’ve been hooping lately.”@alperennsengun speaking FACTS 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/zpx4u8A4VJ— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 28, 2025
What’s Next
Houston finishes out its three-game road trip with a back-to-back against the Phoenix Suns (35-38) and Los Angeles Lakers (44-29) on Sunday and Monday nights, respectively.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Alperen Sengun dominant in Utah as Rockets extend lead in playoff race
