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The Houston Rockets enter their November 30, 2025 matchup in Salt Lake City with renewed momentum, not just because of their strong early-season record, but because their biggest star is officially back. After two games away from the team, Kevin Durant has been cleared to return and is available for the afternoon road meeting against the Utah Jazz. His comeback arrives at a critical time as Houston tries to maintain its position near the top of the Western Conference.

This game also presents a compelling storyline from a league-wide standpoint. The Rockets have evolved into one of the NBA’s most physical and defensively disciplined units, and reinserting Durant into a group that already plays with high energy gives Houston a unique combination of shot creation, spacing, and interior power. For the Jazz, who have struggled to find consistency despite Lauri Markkanen’s standout play, the timing of Durant’s return creates an additional layer of challenge.

Kevin Durant Injury Report vs the Utah Jazz (November 30, 2025)

Yes. Multiple outlets confirm that Kevin Durant has been fully removed from Houston’s injury report for this matchup, meaning he is active and set to rejoin the rotation against the Jazz. He had missed the previous two contests because of a personal family matter, but that situation has been resolved from a team-availability standpoint. With no health complications involved, Durant is expected to resume his typical workload and slide directly back into his primary scoring and playmaking role.

Why Kevin Durant Missed Time

Kevin Durant’s absence was not injury-related. He stepped away for a personal family matter, which kept him out for two games, but reports consistently indicated that it was a short-term issue. There were never concerns about his physical readiness, and the Rockets had anticipated his return once those personal responsibilities were addressed.

Houston Rockets’ Updated Injury Report vs Utah Jazz (November 30, 2025)

Durant may be back, but Houston’s injury report remains far from clean. Steven Adams is listed as questionable with right ankle tendinopathy and may miss a second consecutive contest if the ankle does not respond well during warm-ups. The team also continues to operate without several key rotation pieces. Fred VanVleet remains in long-term recovery following ACL surgery, Dorian Finney-Smith is still rehabbing from left ankle surgery, and Tari Eason is sidelined for multiple weeks due to a core and oblique issue.

What Durant’s Return Means vs. Jazz

The Rockets come into this contest at 12-4, riding a two-game win streak that included impressive victories over the Suns and Warriors even without Durant. Adding a rested superstar back into a roster that leads the league in offensive rebounding gives Houston a decisive advantage over a 6–12 Jazz team still searching for rhythm. Expect Houston’s offense to funnel heavily through Durant, with Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Şengün leveraging the gravity he imposes on every possession. This matchup has all the ingredients of a statement-style return for one of the league’s premier scorers.