Mavericks coach Dusty May says rookie forward Morel "Rez" Johnson Jr. is progressing well despite a minutes restriction imposed after shin‑splint concerns. Drafted ninth overall from Michigan, Johnson has logged limited practice time but contributed solidly in early games: 6 points in 13:50 against Houston, 8 points with 6 rebounds in a 121‑105 win at Indiana, 6 points in a 113‑109 victory over Miami, and 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists in a 120‑96 win versus Oklahoma City. Teammate P.J. Washington praises his defensive versatility and work ethic, noting an inevitable up‑and‑down rookie season. Dallas remains shorthanded with Dereck Lively II and Santi Aldama sidelined as they prepare for a matchup against the Kings.
The Houston Rockets host the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 30, 2026, at the American Airlines Center. The Rockets, featuring Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant and Tari Eason, aim to maintain an unbeaten streak, while the Mavericks counter with Kyrie Irving, Max Christie, Cooper Flagg, PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford. A notable moment from the Oct. 21 matchup shows Mavericks forward Sergio de Larrea debuting his jersey patch against Durant. The game tips off at 7 PM CST, broadcast on Space City Home Network and simulcast on KBME Sports Talk 790/KLTN 102.9, with live chat on the SB Nation app.
Mavericks coach Dusty May says forward Tarik Biberović is "very close" to returning from right heel bursitis, though not as near as fellow prospect Santi Aldama. Biberović, listed as doubtful for the 7 p.m. tip‑off against the Houston Rockets on Oct. 30, last appeared on Oct. 11 in a preseason win over Houston in Macao. Acquired in a July 8, six‑team trade and signed to a two‑year, $6 million deal, the 25‑year‑old logged 11.3 points and 41.9% 3‑point shooting in the EuroLeague last season. Meanwhile, Caleb Martin back from a thumb sprain contributed 10 points in a 120‑96 win over OKC, and Dallas faces a 5‑0 Rockets squad missing Alperen Şengün and Marcus Smart.
The Houston Rockets announce Alperen Şengün will sit out Friday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks due to low‑back soreness, marking his second consecutive missed start after a minor strain kept him out against Milwaukee. Meanwhile, Marcus Smart clears a left forearm strain and is listed as available after missing three games since Oct. 24. The Rockets, now 5‑0, rely on players like Fred VanVleet (24 points) and Amen Thompson (23) as they host the Mavericks at 7 p.m. CT, while Dallas deals with injuries to Naji Marshall’s return and several others.
Dallas Mavericks rookie guard Sergio De Larrea (nicknamed “Larry”) will be reevaluated next week after spraining his right knee on Oct. 26 during a 113‑109 win at Miami. The injury kept him out of the 120‑96 victory over Oklahoma City and the upcoming Oct. 30 game against Houston. Coach Dusty May said De Larrea will undergo imaging and expects a clearer picture soon, while also noting Santi Aldama and Tarik Biberović are close to returning. The 20‑year‑old, the 25th overall pick in the 2026 draft, scored 21 points in his Oct. 24 debut against the Spurs. Houston also loses Alperen Şengün to low‑back soreness.
Naji Marshall returns to the Dallas Mavericks after a two‑game illness layoff ahead of Friday’s matchup with the Houston Rockets, while Santi Aldama and Tarik Biberović remain out. Coach Dusty May confirms Marshall, who posted 13.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists in his first three games, will suit up after missing the Oct. 24 loss to San Antonio. Caleb Martin is also available despite a thumb splint. Sergio De Larrea (right knee sprain) and Dereck Lively II (foot surgery recovery) stay out, and both Aldama and Biberović are listed as out, with Aldama “very close” to returning after knee surgery and a practice stint with the Texas Legends. Tip‑off is set for 7 p.m. CT at the American Airlines Center.
Jaguars OC Grant Udinski says WR/CB Travis Hunter’s usage will fluctuate weekly, ranging from ten catches one game to just a few touches the next. Texans GM Nick Caserio reveals the team is close to a new deal with QB C.J. Stroud, who boasts 1,867 yards, 11 TDs and one INT this season, but negotiations stalled. Meanwhile, Titans DE Keldric Faulk, a 2026 first‑round pick, has logged seven tackles, two TFLs and a sack, with coach Robert Saleh predicting he’ll become a franchise great.
The Houston Rockets host the Dallas Mavericks Friday, Oct. 30, at 8:00 PM ET in the NBA Cup’s Western Conference opener. The Rockets enter 2‑0 with a 128‑110 win over Dallas on Oct. 21 and a 132‑100 rout of Milwaukee, led by Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson. Dallas seeks revenge after a 120‑96 victory over OKC, featuring Cooper Flagg’s 26‑point, eight‑assist night and the possible return of Kyrie Irving. Tune to KFDA NewsChannel 10 Too/Space City Home Network or stream on Fubo (free trial).
The Dallas Mavericks (3-2) travel to host the 5-0 Houston Rockets for the opening night of NBA Cup Group Play on Friday at 7 p.m. CST. The Rockets come off a 30‑point demolition of the Bucks, while the Mavericks are fresh off a dominant win over Oklahoma City. Dallas lists Santi Aldama and Tarik Biberović as doubtful, Sergio De Larrea out with a knee sprain, and Naji Marshall questionable. Houston will miss Steven Adams and Reed Shepard, with Alperen Şengün and Marcus Smart listed as questionable. With both teams dealing injuries, the matchup hinges on Dallas’ defense against Kevin Durant and the health of key players.
During the Jaguars’ 34-31 loss to the Houston Texans at Wembley, star Travis Hunter intercepted C.J. Stroud and celebrated by removing his helmet, prompting a post‑game $14,926 NFL fine for unsportsmanlike conduct. On the Chasing No. 1 podcast, Hunter disclosed he covered first‑class travel for his wife and baby—costing six bands—and accepted the “15 racks” penalty without protest. He also highlighted his performance: four receptions for 59 yards, a touchdown, and the game‑saving interception. Coach Liam Coen praised Hunter’s impact on both offense and defense, while the team faces multiple fines this season.
Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant discussed his appreciation for his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder as he prepares to face his former team on Saturday.
The Houston Rockets have exercised the $14 million fourth-year team option on guard Reed Sheppard for the 2027-28 NBA season, keeping the former third overall pick under contract for another year.
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Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker turned Halloween into a spectacle, answering trade deadline questions while wearing a grotesque evil‑clown mask at the team’s press conference. The Cardinals sit 2‑5 after a 30‑16 loss to Denver, having already dealt Marvin Harrison Jr. to Houston and eyeing more moves before the Nov. 10 deadline. Baker told ESPN he plans to stay through the deadline but acknowledges trades are “business.” The video of his costume has gone viral, earning him praise for his commitment to the holiday tradition.
The Rockets lock up Reed Sheppard for 2027‑28, exercising his $14 million option after a solid rookie season (13.5 pts, 2.9 reb, 3.4 ast). He now averages 10.5 points and 4.8 assists in 23.3 minutes, though his three‑point shooting has slipped to 28.1%. Meanwhile, Dallas’ Daniel Gafford finally hits his first career three‑pointer, earning praise from coach Dusty May as he cements a starting role after a $54.4 million extension. Philadelphia, sitting 4‑1, relies heavily on its starters, with bench scoring at a league‑low 19 ppg and troubling rebounding and three‑point percentages.
The Houston Rockets exercised Reed Sheppard’s fourth‑year team option, guaranteeing him $11.11 million for 2027‑28 and $14.04 million for the following season before he hits restricted free agency in 2028. Drafted third overall in 2024, Sheppard expanded his role after Fred VanVleet’s ACL injury, playing all 82 games, averaging 13.5 points, 3.4 assists and 2.9 rebounds on 43‑39‑80 shooting, and ranking sixth in Sixth Man voting. With VanVleet back, Sheppard continues to post at least four assists in each of the Rockets’ 5‑0 start. Houston’s recent trend of locking up young talent suggests Sheppard could earn a rookie‑scale extension next offseason.
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The Wizards debut No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa after a four‑game ankle injury, dropping 19 points on 8‑of‑12 shooting in a 112‑104 loss to Cleveland and impressing coach Brian Keefe with his offense and defense against James Harden. Meanwhile, Rockets guard‑coach Fred VanVleet praises Houston’s early-season chemistry after a fifth straight win, noting training camp energy and a potential 2027‑28 option on Reed Sheppard. Across the league, Warriors star Stephen Curry evaluates rookie Yaxel Lendeborg’s “full‑package” skill set after Lendeborg posts 31‑12‑6 vs. Denver and 26 points at Minnesota, while Curry himself erupts for 44 points in Wednesday’s win.
Week 8 fantasy managers get two underrated backs worth targeting: Miami’s Ollie Gordon II, who’s racked up 25 carries for 103 yards and a TD this week and has scored in each of his last four games, and Tennessee’s Tony Pollard, fresh off a career‑high 129 yards and three touchdowns against Cleveland. Both are poised for solid roles against the Patriots and Bengals respectively. Risky plays include Cleveland’s Quinshon Judkins, who bounced back with 96 yards and two TDs but now faces the Steelers’ top‑rated rush defense, and Tampa Bay’s Bucky Irving, who posted 110 yards and two scores versus the Panthers but meets a strong Falcons rush front. Consider these picks before setting your Week 8 lineups.
One week into the 2026‑27 NBA season, the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies sit unbeaten at 5‑0, while the Sacramento Kings (0‑5) and Brooklyn Nets (0‑4) remain winless. A rash of injuries—from Jalen Williams' ankle fracture to Kawhi Leonard’s knee swelling—has already reshaped rosters. Highlights include Cameron Boozer becoming the second‑youngest player ever with a triple‑double, Kevin Durant’s steady impact for the Rockets, and Kyrie Irving’s new role in Dallas. The roundup also covers key storylines from the Celtics, Nuggets, and other clubs, plus Ernie Johnson’s final season on “Inside the NBA.”
Who Should I Start? Who Should I Sit? Some of the most common Week 8 fantasy football lineup decisions involve […]
After being benched, Jameis Winston spent the same day helping his replacement, rookie J.J. McCarthy, review third‑down situations. McCarthy, acquired in a September trade, threw for 252 yards and no interceptions in a 27‑21 overtime win over the Houston Texans on Oct. 25. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy highlighted the collaborative QB room, noting Winston’s four starts give him valuable knowledge to aid McCarthy on protections and timing. While Winston remains a 2‑1‑1 starter and backup option, the Giants’ depth chart stays fluid with Jaxson Dart’s recovery still uncertain.
In an ESPN interview, Rockets forward Kevin Durant reflects on the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2025 NBA championship, expressing pride as an alumnus. Durant recalls the city’s support after the 2012 Finals loss and acknowledges that the current title, led by Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander, Jalen Williams and GM Sam Presti, builds on the foundation he helped lay with Russell Westbrook and James Harden. While he wishes his former team had won, he praises the Thunder’s culture and evolution, noting his lingering soft spot for Oklahoma City despite now competing against them as a Rocket.
On October 30, 2019 the Washington Nationals clinched their first World Series by defeating the Houston Astros 6‑2 in Game 7 at Minute Maid Park, with Daniel Hudson striking out Michael Brantley for the final out. The piece reflects on the historic win seven years later, spotlighting key moments like Howie Kendrick’s two‑run homer in the top of the seventh and clutch contributions from Anthony Rendon, Juan Soto, Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Trea Turner and Sean Doolittle. The author shares a personal story of battling cancer during that season, describing how the championship brought joy amid hardship. The article celebrates the lasting legacy of the 2019 Nats roster and its place in baseball history.
Kevin Durant’s role with the Houston Rockets is shifting. After a demanding 2025‑26 season where injuries forced him to shoulder heavy playmaking and minutes, Durant is now taking a career‑low 12.6 shots per game in the Rockets’ 5‑0 start. The team’s balanced roster—Alperen Sengun’s breakout, Jabari Smith’s improvement, All‑Star‑level Amen Thompson, and the return of point guard Fred VanVleet—allows Durant to contribute without shouldering the offense every night. The article argues that this reduced load benefits both the 37‑year‑old star and the Rockets’ overall success.
The Mavericks host the unbeaten Rockets Friday night in the first NBA Cup group game, just nine days after a 128‑110 loss that exposed Dallas’ transition‑defense woes. Houston, 5‑0 for the first time since 2014‑15, dominated the second quarter of the opener with a 38‑12 run, led by Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. (30 points each) and a strong fast‑break showing. Dallas, now 3‑2, will look to improve after a shaky second‑quarter performance (4‑of‑19 shooting, 0‑of‑14 from three) and a 30‑point halftime deficit. Coach Dusty May emphasizes fixing communication and transition defense, while Kyrie Irving returns after 597 days, scoring 15. Key injuries: Naji Marshall questionable, Santi Aldama doubtful.