Jazz Struggle in Loss to Rockets as Lottery Race Tightens

Utah's young squad falls short against Houston's stars, but the defeat keeps the team in the hunt for a top draft pick.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 4:35am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game, with the players' forms broken down into overlapping geometric shapes in the team's colors, capturing the energy and competition of the contest.The Jazz's young squad battles against the Rockets' stars in a game that keeps both teams in the hunt for a top draft pick.Houston Today

The Utah Jazz's skeleton crew of young players fell to the Houston Rockets 106-140 on Friday night, continuing the team's late-season slide. Despite some strong individual performances, the Jazz couldn't keep up with Houston's offensive firepower led by Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun. The loss keeps Utah tied with the Sacramento Kings for the fourth-worst record in the NBA, an important position in the upcoming draft lottery.

Why it matters

The Jazz are in the midst of a rebuilding season, prioritizing player development and draft position over immediate wins. This loss, while disappointing, keeps them in the running for a top-4 pick that could net them a franchise-changing talent in the 2026 NBA Draft.

The details

The Jazz were led by Cody, who recorded a double-double with 27 points and 11 rebounds. Ace added 22 points, while Brice chipped in 20 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds. However, the team struggled to contain Durant and Sengun, who combined for 57 points for the Rockets. The Jazz also committed 16 turnovers, leading to 24 Houston points.

  • The Jazz have now lost 12 of their last 13 games.
  • With the loss, the Jazz and Kings are tied for the fourth-worst record in the NBA at 21-57.

The players

Cody

Led the Jazz with 27 points and 11 rebounds, including 5 offensive boards.

Ace

Scored 22 points, though he struggled from three-point range, going 2-for-8.

Brice

Contributed 20 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds, showcasing his improved all-around game.

Kevin Durant

The Rockets' star forward scored a game-high 30 points to lead his team to victory.

Alperen Sengun

The Rockets' young center dominated inside, scoring 27 points and grabbing 9 rebounds.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“As a fan, there are times when you can't help but cheer on the grit and fight of the group of largely second- and third-unit players who are steering the team through the last games of the season.”

— dipsydoo, Author

What’s next

With the Kings also losing, the Jazz and Sacramento remain tied for the fourth-worst record in the NBA. The race for draft position will continue to be a key storyline as the regular season winds down.

The takeaway

While the Jazz's young players continue to battle, the team's focus remains on securing the best possible draft position to add a franchise-changing talent in the offseason. This loss, though disappointing, keeps them in the running for a top-4 pick that could accelerate their rebuilding efforts.