Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant made NBA history in Wednesday night’s 128-110 season-opening win over the Dallas Mavericks at Toyota Center. Durant, now in his 20th season, finished with 30 points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. He shot 10-of-16 from the field, 2-of-4 from three-point range and 8-of-11 from the free-throw […]
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The Mavericks stumble to a 128-110 loss against Kevin Durant's Houston Rockets in their season opener, but rookie Cooper Flagg shines with a game‑high 32 points, 11 free‑throws made and solid defense. Kyrie Irving, returning after a 600‑day ACL layoff, adds 15 points but is limited to nine shots by Houston's defense. Coach Dusty May praises Flagg's second‑half surge and improved pace, while noting the need to generate more off‑ball movement and reduce turnovers. May also highlights Irving’s leadership despite limited opportunities and stresses fixing free‑throw and possession issues before the road games against Indiana and San Antonio.
Kyrie Irving returns from a torn ACL as the Dallas Mavericks tumble 128-110 to the Houston Rockets in their season opener. Irving slams the team’s defensive effort, especially a disastrous second quarter where Dallas scored just 12 points while allowing 38, but stops short of using harsher language. He posts 15 points on 6‑of‑9 shooting and stresses accountability and chemistry as the Mavs look to rebound before facing the Indiana Pacers. The loss highlights early challenges for a squad aiming to improve on a 26‑56 record last year.
Kevin Durant says Fred VanVleet’s return transforms the Rockets’ offense. In the season‑opening 128‑110 win over Dallas, VanVleet logged six points and 11 assists with no turnovers, instantly improving backcourt spacing and allowing players like Alperen Sengün and Jabari Smith Jr. to thrive. Durant highlighted that having natural point guards such as VanVleet and Marcus Smart lets Twin Thompson and Josh Okogie play their natural roles, boosting efficiency across the roster. The Rockets aim to build on this momentum when they travel to San Antonio Friday.
The Dallas Mavericks' 128-110 loss to the Houston Rockets exposed their need for playmaking, as they didn't add enough backcourt depth in the offseason.
In the Mavericks' season‑opener, Houston ripped a 38‑12 second quarter, turning a 70‑38 halftime lead into a 128‑110 win. Dallas scored on just 6 of 30 possessions, went 0‑14 from three, and committed eight turnovers that yielded 11 Rockets points. Coach Dusty May blamed lost composure and a lapse in transition defense—an area the team emphasized in camp. Key contributors included Morez Johnson Jr. (two makes) and a handful of free‑throw points, while Houston’s fast‑breaks and efficient shooting (13‑19 field goals, 9‑13 at the line) sealed the game. The article dissects the breakdown and lessons Dallas hopes to apply moving forward.
The Dallas Mavericks sign former Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. to a two‑way deal after his turbulent rookie year with Utah and Memphis. Clayton, the 2025 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player who led the Gators to the title with clutch performances against UConn, Texas Tech and Houston, was taken 18th overall by the Jazz. In Memphis he posted nearly six assists per game and shot 50% from three in April, but struggled overall, hitting just 31% from deep and 47% on two‑pointers across 24 games. At 6‑2, 60% rim‑scoring in college and 40% spot‑up three‑point shooting, his fearlessness and improved playmaking could make him a versatile spark plug for Dallas.
Cooper Flagg set an NBA record for most points by a teenager in a season opener, scoring 32 in Dallas' 128-110 loss to the Houston Rockets on Oct. 22, 2026. The 19‑year‑old shot 10‑of‑17 from the field, hit a decisive step‑back jumper with 4:33 left, and added 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and a block. Flagg broke Lamar Odom's 1999 mark of 30 points and continues a standout rookie year after earning 2025 Rookie of the Year and a 51‑point game last season. Coach Dusty May highlighted Flagg's aggressiveness and free‑throw reliability as key to the Mavericks' offensive shift.
Marcus Sasser nets 17 points off the bench in the Dallas Mavericks’ 128-110 season‑opening loss to the Houston Rockets on Oct. 22, 2026. The former University of Houston star, a 2023 first‑round pick who spent three seasons with Detroit, shoots 6‑of‑8 overall and 4‑of‑5 from three, adding a rebound, assist and steal in just under 24 minutes. After missing the first three preseason games with adductor tightness, Sasser says playing in front of familiar Houston fans is “always fun.” He highlights a more aggressive second‑half approach, scoring 14 points after halftime and citing confidence from teammates like Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks acquired Sasser in a July 8, six‑team trade that also brought Santi Aldama and the rights to Tarik Biberović.
Kevin Durant praises Fred VanVleet and Marcus Smart by highlighting their impact on the Rockets' offensive schemes.
In the season opener on Oct. 21, 2026, the Dallas Mavericks fell 128-110 to the Houston Rockets, marking a 0-1 start. Coach Dusty May blamed a disastrous second quarter—poor transition defense and lost composure—for the loss, noting the Rockets “outworked” them. Rookie Cooper Flagg sparked a comeback, scoring 23 of his 32 points in the second half and shooting 11‑of‑13 from the line. Reserve guard Marcus Sasser also performed well. May highlighted communication lapses and the need to tighten up on fast‑break coverage against stars Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr., while praising the first‑unit’s effort despite the defeat.
The Dallas Mavericks struggled mightily from downtown in their opening game versus the Houston Rockets, and they can only hope they improve from last year.
The Houston Rockets open the 2026 season with a dominant 128-110 win over the Dallas Mavericks at the Toyota Center. Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. each pour in 30 points, propelling Houston to a 70-38 halftime lead. Alperen Şengün adds a double‑double (23 points, 10 rebounds) and Fred VanVleet dishes out 11 assists. Dallas' Cooper Flagg tops the Mavs with 32 points, but the Rockets control the game with 53% shooting, 16‑of‑36 from three, and a 42‑33 rebounding edge. The Rockets’ next test comes Friday night against the San Antonio Spurs.
The Sacramento Kings are considering Dalton Knecht and Sean Pedulla for their open two-way contract spot, with both players attracting interest from multiple teams, according to Jake Fischer. “I’m told former Rockets two-way guard Sean Pedulla has also cleared waivers and is fielding fresh interest on a two-way pact elsewhere,” Marc Stein reported on Wednesday, […]
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The Houston Rockets leaned on the prolific scoring of Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. to dispose of the Dallas Mavericks, 128-110, in their season opener at Toyota Center on Wednesday. Durant had 30 points on 10-of-16 shooting, six rebounds, and three assists, while Smith added 30 points on 11-of-17 shooting, including 4-of-8 from long […]
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Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. scored 30 points apiece as the Houston Rockets opened the 2026-27 NBA season with a 128-110 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night. Houston broke the game open with a dominant second quarter, outscoring Dallas 38-12 to take a 32-point halftime lead at Toyota Center. The Rockets led […]
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Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg blamed poor organization and defensive lapses for Dallas' 18‑point loss to the Houston Rockets on Oct. 22, 2026, the team's season‑opening defeat under new head coach Dusty May. Flagg said the Mavericks went "stagnant" as Houston accelerated the pace, failed to get back in transition, and broke habits, allowing the Rockets—highlighted by a standout dunk from Kevin Durant over Flagg—to seize momentum. He stressed that the trouble went beyond missed shots, calling for better offensive structure and disciplined transition defense before the next game.
The Houston Rockets dominate the Dallas Mavericks 128-110 in the season opener, building a 32‑point halftime lead after outscoring Dallas 38‑12 in the second quarter. Rookie sensation Cooper Flagg sets an NBA record for a teen with 32 points, while Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. each add 30 for Houston. Kyrie Irving returns after a torn ACL, contributing 15 points, and Fred VanVleet records 11 assists in his comeback. Dallas struggles, shooting 4‑of‑19 in the second period and missing all 14 three‑point attempts, resulting in eight turnovers. Coach Dusty May cites missed breaks and loss of composure as key factors in the loss.
The Dallas Mavericks stumble 128-110 to the Houston Rockets on opening night, with a chaotic second quarter and endless lineup swaps. Kyrie Irving returns from a torn ACL, posting 15 points on 6‑of‑9 shooting in 24 minutes and earns an A‑ grade for effort. Rookie Cooper Flagg dazzles with a game‑high 32 points (A grade), while Max Christie (C‑), P.J. Washington (C+) and Daniel Gafford (D) receive lukewarm to poor marks for shooting woes and turnovers. Coach Dusty May’s heavy rotations may have disrupted rhythm, leaving the Mavs 0‑1 as they search for cohesion.
The Dallas Mavericks stumble in their season opener, falling 128-110 to the Houston Rockets on Oct. 21, 2026. A brutal 38-12 second‑quarter run gave Houston a 37‑point lead that Dallas never overcame. Rockets stars Cooper Flagg (32 points) and Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. (30 each) paced the win, while the Mavericks shot just 30 percent from three (11‑of‑37). Rookie Marcus Sasser shined with 17 points and four triples, accounting for more than a third of Dallas’ made threes. Rebounding also hurt Dallas, as Houston outboards them 44‑33, with veteran center Daniel Gafford grabbing only two rebounds in 22 minutes.
Lakers greats Robert Horry and James Worthy sit down with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson to dissect Shaquille O’Neal’s landmark 1996 free‑agency move, argue that Horry’s seven rings merit Hall‑of‑Fame induction, and discuss the shifting value of championships in today’s player‑empowerment era. Horry also jokes about a modern‑day Sam Cassell replacement and predicts the Houston Rockets will out‑perform the Los Angeles Lakers in the upcoming season, citing team cohesiveness. The interview blends nostalgia with current NBA trends, offering insider perspectives on free‑agency precedent, ring culture, and future team prospects.
The Houston Rockets dismantled the Dallas Mavericks on both ends of the court as Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. were the main reasons why.
The Dallas Mavericks fall 128-110 to the Houston Rockets in the 2026 season opener, snapping a brief early spark with a 32-26 lead before Houston erupts for a 70-38 halftime advantage. Cooper Flagg shines with a career‑high 32 points, five rebounds and defensive stats, while Kyrie Irving adds 15 and Marcus Sasser 17. Houston’s Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. each drop 30, with Alperen Sengun contributing 23 and 10 rebounds. The Rockets shoot 52.2% overall (44.4% from three) versus Dallas’s 33.3% in the first half, sealing a decisive win.
After just one game against the Houston Rockets, it's clear that it's going to take Zaccharie Risacher some time to develop for the Dallas Mavericks. Despite playing hard and crashing the glass, his shooting was nonexistent.
The Houston Rockets looked like a force tonight against the Dallas Mavericks in a dominant 128-110 victory.