Jazz Vs Rockets: Houston’s win reshuffles Western momentum after Sengun’s reverse slam

What changes because of the jazz vs rockets blowout is immediate: Houston’s balanced attack and a handful of big performances nudged the standings and created clearer momentum heading into a home stretch. The Rockets’ 125-105 victory on Feb. 23, 2026 tightened their grip on the fourth spot in the West and showcased a rarely-seen highlight — a reverse slam from Alperen Sengun — that underlined both playmaking and finishing depth.

Standings and performance ripple from the Jazz Vs Rockets result

Houston improved to a 35-21 record and holds fourth place in the Western Conference. They sit one game above the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves, trail the Denver Nuggets on a tiebreaker, and remain 5. 5 games behind the San Antonio Spurs. Here's the part that matters: that climb isn't just cosmetic — it came with 18 made 3-pointers and a 53-to-36 rebounding advantage that changed how this matchup played out.

How Sengun’s reverse dunk unfolded during the game

The highlight sequence came in the third quarter. Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun ran pick-and-roll action; Durant returned the ball to Sengun, who used a euro step to evade his defender and finished with a reverse dunk. Sengun’s dunk is notable because his game is more often defined by playmaking than by dunking. Sengun is in his fifth year with the Rockets, and the reverse slam stood out as an exclamation point in a dominant night at home.

Boxed-in details: scoring, rebounding and individual lines

• Final score: Rockets 125, Jazz 105 (Feb. 23, 2026).
• Team edges: Rockets made 18 3-pointers and grabbed 53 rebounds; Jazz made eight triples and secured 36 rebounds.
• Six Houston players reached double figures. Key stat lines: Jabari Smith Jr. — 31 points, nine rebounds, three steals, three blocks; Alperen Sengun — 16 points, nine rebounds, nine assists, two blocks, one steal on 7-of-12 shooting; Amen Thompson — 20 points, seven rebounds; Kevin Durant — 18 points, 12 assists; Reed Sheppard — 15 points, four assists; Tari Eason — 11 points, 10 rebounds.

Immediate schedule and forward signals

The Rockets will stay at home for their next game; tip-off against the Sacramento Kings will take place on Feb. 25 at 8 p. m. ET. If you’re wondering why this keeps coming up, pay attention to perimeter shooting and rebound margins in the next outing — those were the decisive categories in this matchup and could confirm whether the momentum is sustainable.

• Key takeaway: The 18 made 3-pointers show Houston’s depth on the perimeter and helped create the margin.
• Key takeaway: Rebounding dominance (53 vs. 36) converted second-chance opportunities and limited the Jazz’s transition chances.
• Key takeaway: Sengun’s near triple-double (16/9/9) reinforces his two-way upside even as dunking remains a rarer highlight.
• Key takeaway: Six double-digit scorers indicate a balanced scoring ledger, reducing reliance on any single playmaker.

It’s easy to overlook, but the bigger signal here is the combination of perimeter heat and board control — when both align, Houston looks less like a one-man team and more like a multifaceted contender. The real question now is whether the Rockets can replicate these margins against the Kings and sustain separation from the teams immediately below them in the standings.

Writer’s aside: The reverse slam will be replayed for highlight reels, but the statistical foundation — 18 threes and 53 rebounds — is what turned a highlight into a decisive win.