Jazz Drop Second Straight Post All-Star
The Utah Jazz lost 125-105 to the Houston Rockets, with Jabari Smith Jr. leading Houston with 31 points and Amen Thompson adding 20. The Jazz's struggles are compounded by Vince Williams Jr.'s potential ACL injury in his left knee and Jusuf Nurkic confirmed to undergo season-ending surgery. This marks their second consecutive loss following the All-Star break.
- The first of the back-to-back losses was a 115-107 defeat to the Charlotte Hornets. - Following the two losses, the Jazz's season record fell to 18-40, placing them 13th in the Western Conference standings. - Vince Williams Jr.'s season-ending injury was a torn ACL in his left knee sustained in a collision with Houston's Tari Eason. - Jusuf Nurkic's surgery was to address a nasal issue that has caused breathing and sleeping difficulties for several years. - In the loss to the Rockets, Jabari Smith Jr. shot 12 for 17 from the field, including six 3-pointers, while Amen Thompson was 8 for 9 from the field. - The loss of Nurkic leaves the Jazz without three centers for the rest of the season, as Walker Kessler and Jaren Jackson Jr. are also out with injuries. - Jazz coach Will Hardy called the play that resulted in Williams' injury "not basketball." - Houston extended its lead to as many as 33 points during the game and scored 29 fast-break points.
