ESPN’s Tim MacMahon declares Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg a top‑10 NBA player right now, after the Mavericks’ 116‑111 win over the Houston Rockets on Oct. 26. He praises Flagg’s ability to run the offense, saying he’d never trade him for Luka Doncic. Flagg’s 35 points helped pair with Kyrie Irving’s 33 in the upset, easing pressure on Irving and hinting the Mavericks might keep both stars past the season. MacMahon predicts the duo could shape Dallas’s future, with Irving holding a $42 million player option for 2027‑28.
In Week 3 of the 2026‑27 NBA season, injuries dominate the headlines, with the Oklahoma City Thunder losing three starters—Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace and Chet Holmgren—while stars like Anthony Edwards and Kawhi Leonard also miss time. Amid the chaos, the Houston Rockets surge to the top of the power rankings, boasting a 6‑1 record, elite scoring, and Kevin Durant’s 20th‑year dominance. Close behind are the Detroit Pistons (5‑1), led by Cade Cunningham’s 3‑point shooting and league‑best defense, and the Philadelphia 76ers, propelled by Tyrese Maxey and LeBron James. The article details each team’s recent performance, upcoming games, and how injury woes reshape the NBA hierarchy.
Two weeks into the NBA season, injuries have already radically altered the competitive landscape. The Rockets and Knicks are trending in opposite directions.
The Phoenix Suns sit at a 1‑3 start, sparking fan frustration and talk of a point‑guard overhaul. Recent games saw Devin Booker score just three points against Oklahoma City and Jalen Green two points against the Nuggets, prompting calls to trade for a true floor general or start Collin Gillespie. A 96‑hour layoff gave the Suns the fewest games played early in the season, but a grueling four‑game, six‑day stretch—including their first back‑to‑back—lies ahead. While the West reels from injuries to stars like Anthony Edwards and Ja Morant, Phoenix remains healthy aside from Mark Williams. This week’s slate features a win over Golden State, then games vs. Portland, Orlando and Houston, marking the franchise’s longest homestand since 2021.
After a 109-93 loss to the Houston Rockets, Boston fans question the future of Mitchell Robinson. The former Knicks big man, who signed a three‑year, $47.4 million deal, is averaging just 6.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in nearly 20 minutes per game. He posted 4 points and 4 rebounds in 15 minutes against Houston, prompting analysts Bobby Manning, John Zannis and Jimmy Toscano to debate whether the Celtics should re‑evaluate his role, especially with backup centers Neemias Queta and Luka Garza seeing solid minutes.
Mike D'Antoni reveals that James Harden's dominant scoring during his prime with the Houston Rockets actually unsettled him. The former coach admits he feared the team's dynamics would suffer once Harden's output regressed to typical levels, highlighting the challenges of managing an over‑performing star.
Jabari Smith Jr. is finally hitting his stride for the Houston Rockets, exploding to 19.0 points per game while shooting an impressive 48.9% overall and 44.7% from three—up from last season's 15.9 points and 36.8% three‑point rate. The surge stems from better shot selection, with 25.7% of his attempts now classified as wide‑open, and a confidence boost on the ball under Ime Udoka's system. Though the three‑point hot streak may temper later, Smith Jr.'s all‑around game looks the most polished of his career, making this his potential breakout year.
The Rockets host the Celtics on Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m. CT, offering Houston its first schedule‑advantage game (Rockets 6‑1, Celtics 5‑1). Boston, now led by Paul George after trading Jaylen Brown, must contend with a Rockets defense that tops the league, while Houston aims to curb Jayson Tatum, George and Derrick White. Key injuries: Steven Adams (out), Clint Capela (questionable) for Houston; Mitchell Robinson (questionable) and Devin Carter (out) for Boston. The line favors Houston at -5.5. A win could signal how both 6‑1 teams settle after exceeding low preseason expectations.
The Celtics (5-1) head to Houston on Nov. 2 for Game #7, seeking a sixth straight win in their first road back‑to‑back. Boston will likely start Derrick White, Hugo González, Paul George, Jayson Tatum and Mitchell Robinson, while Houston is expected to roll out Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Şengün. Key matchups feature George vs. Durant (Durant averages 22.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists) and Robinson vs. Şengün (22.8 points, 9.0 rebounds). Injuries: Celtics forward Devin Carter out with mononucleosis; Rockets big man Steven Adams out (calf) and Clint Capela questionable (ankle). The Rockets sit 6‑1 after wins at home and on the road, making this a tough early‑season test for Boston.
Kyrie Irving pours 35 points, including 16 in the fourth, to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 116-111 victory over the Houston Rockets on Friday. Daniel Gafford compares Irving’s clutch performance to re‑watching a favorite movie, noting the excitement of his return after a 19‑month layoff. Irving is now averaging 21.4 points on 52.7% shooting and 39% from three in his first five games, while the Mavericks, fresh off a three‑game winning streak, aim to fine‑tune rebounding, energy and turnovers. The team faces the Sacramento Kings Monday, with Irving listed as questionable due to a left‑knee issue.
Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty May says his team will focus on developing winning habits rather than the Sacramento Kings’ 0-6 record. After a gritty win over the Houston Rockets, May praised the Mavericks’ resilience and warned they must stay consistent against a Kings squad that boasts Domantas Sabonis (15.8 rpg, 16.0 pts), Zach LaVine (23.5 pts), De’Andre Hunter and Precious Achiuwa. May also highlighted rookie Darius Acuff, who is averaging 26.3 points and 6.3 assists, and noted fellow Arkansan Daniel Gafford’s respect for the talent. The matchup is the Mavericks’ first as favorites, presenting a new puzzle to solve.
Kyrie Irving says the Mavericks eased off after learning the Rockets would be without Alperen Şengün and Reed Sheppard. Houston built a 31-17 second‑quarter lead and led at halftime, but Dallas rallied to win 116-111 at the American Airlines Center. Irving highlighted the team’s “foot‑off‑the‑gas” mindset, then sparked a third‑quarter surge with 10 straight points, finishing with 35 points on 8‑of‑13 shooting. Rockets star Kevin Durant posted 28 points, while Steven Adams sat out with a soleus strain. The win ends Houston’s unbeaten start, and Dallas next hosts Sacramento.
Kyrie Irving extends his NBA‑record free‑throw streak to 55 as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Houston Rockets 116‑111 on Nov. 1, 2026. Irving tallies 35 points, 9 assists and 4 rebounds, shooting 12‑of‑19 overall and perfect from the line, while matching Charles Barkley for 41st on the all‑time scoring list and tying Larry Bird with 81 30‑50‑90 games. Dallas snaps Houston’s season‑opening win, improving to 4‑2, and coach Dusty May praises Irving’s impact and leadership. The Mavericks next host the Sacramento Kings on Monday.
Kyrie Irving (35) and 20‑year‑old rookie Cooper Flagg (33) combined for 68 points in the Mavericks’ 116‑111 win over the Houston Rockets on Nov. 1, 2026, silencing talk about their 15‑year age gap. Irving led the fourth quarter with 16 points while Flagg added 11, and the duo shot 25‑of‑38, logging 13 rebounds and 15 assists. Both praised each other's versatility and teamwork in post‑game comments, noting how Flagg’s rookie‑of‑the‑year talent eases Irving’s pressure. It was the first Mavs 30‑point pair since Feb. 5, 2026, and the first duo to each hit 33 points since Dončić and Irving in 2023‑24.
Mavericks president Masai Ujiri congratulates new head coach Dusty May after Dallas edges Houston 116-111, handing the Rockets their first loss of the season and opening NBA Cup play. Kyrie Irving leads with 35 points, Cooper Flagg adds 33, and Dallas improves to 4-2, winning its third straight. May praises Ujiri’s roster building, citing depth, youth and character, and highlights key contributions from Daniel Gafford (18 points, 2 blocks), P.J. Washington (10 rebounds) and Caleb Martin’s full fourth‑quarter return from injury. The Mavericks host Sacramento on Monday and face Utah in their next Cup game on Nov. 6.
After Luka Doncic’s trade 19 months ago, Dallas fans felt a void until the Mavericks hired coach Dusty May. May’s upbeat personality and collaborative approach have revitalized the team, sparking a renewed buzz around the arena and downtown. In a recent win over the Rockets, forward Naji Marshall and the crowd reflected the city’s growing excitement. While the roster remains largely unchanged, May’s emphasis on joy, teamwork and community connection has turned the Mavs into “an extension” of his philosophy, giving Dallas the hope and enjoyment that were missing since the 2025 finals run. The article argues that May, more than any player, is restoring the city’s basketball spirit.
The Suns enter November with a 1-3 record and offensive woes, but a packed schedule offers a chance to turn things around. They host a seven‑game homestand from Nov 2‑15, facing the Warriors, Trail Blazers, Magic, Rockets, Spurs, Clippers, Hornets and Lakers, then embark on a five‑game road swing (Nuggets, Kings, Jazz, Pelicans, Rockets) that includes two NBA Cup matchups. Late‑month games pit Phoenix against rising stars Cooper Flagg and Darryn Peterson. With back‑to‑backs and limited travel, the Suns must find balance and depth to spark a win streak.
The Houston Rockets' early‑season surge—now 6‑1 and tied for the NBA’s second‑best record—hinges on veteran guard Fred VanVleet, who returned from an ACL tear. While Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson and Alperen Şengün command a $118 million payroll, insiders say VanVleet’s steady 30‑minute playmaking frees the stars to thrive. Critics warn the Rockets’ title hopes are fragile; VanVleet’s injury‑prone history means a setback could turn the high‑priced trio into a costly pretender. The article argues the franchise’s championship odds rest on the wrong player.
In Week 2 the Milwaukee Bucks posted a 1‑2 record, snapping their losing streak with a 23‑point, 10‑rebounds, 7‑assist performance from Tyler Herro that earned him the week’s MVP. The win came against arch‑rival Indiana Pacers, but the Bucks fell to the Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers, prompting concussion concerns and exposing defensive lapses—particularly in the second quarter, where the team shot under 30% in each game. Myles Turner’s subpar outings drew criticism, while Kyle Kuzma briefly held the Defensive Belt. The article also hints at roster moves, noting Nate Ament’s rise over Ousmane Dieng.
The Dallas Mavericks, off to a 4-2 start and already beating contenders like Houston and Miami, now face a crucial trade‑deadline decision. Young star Cooper Flagg leads the team with 26.8 points per game, while Kyrie Irving, back from an ACL rehab, contributes 21 points, five assists and a perfect free‑throw record. Irving’s resurgence has boosted his trade value, prompting rumors that Detroit and other clubs may bid for him. Mavericks GM Masai Ujiri must choose between pushing for a playoff run or selling Irving for future assets, a dilemma that could shape Dallas’s rebuild after a 26‑56 finish last season. The storyline will intensify in January as the team’s performance continues.
The Dallas Mavericks clinched a 116-111 victory over the Houston Rockets in their first NBA Cup game on Oct. 30, 2026, thanks to a flurry of clutch plays in the final five minutes. Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving each hit the 30‑point mark, with Flagg delivering a floater, a goaltended finger roll, and a crucial free‑throw, while Irving added a 16‑foot jumper and a decisive three‑pointer. Daniel Gafford sealed the win with an offensive‑rebounds put‑back after Irving’s missed three. The game featured several controversial calls, including a disputed away‑from‑the‑ball foul on Kevin Durant and a reversed charge on Irving. The Mavericks improve to 4‑2, the Rockets fall to 5‑1.
The Oklahoma City Thunder face a crippling injury surge, losing rookie Otega Oweh (Achilles), Jalen Williams (fractured fibula/dislocated ankle), Cason Wallace (labrum tear) and Chet Holmgren (patellar tendon tear) within a week. After a 4‑0 start, they’ve dropped two road games to Dallas and Houston. Coach Mark Daigneault stresses no sympathy, just competition, and reflects on past adversity shaping the team’s discipline. Meanwhile, Timberwolves guard LaMelo Ball battles a career‑high 4.3 fouls per game, fouling out in San Antonio, while the Utah Jazz stumble to a 1‑5 record after a blowout loss to Portland. The piece examines how each club confronts early‑season challenges.
The Houston Rockets bounce back from their first loss with a dominant 119-98 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Toyota Center on Oct. 31. Jabari Smith Jr. leads with 30 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists, while Marcus Smart adds 24 and shoots 7‑of‑10 from three. Alperen Sengün returns to post a near triple‑double (16‑9‑10) and Kevin Durant contributes 14. Houston’s 46% shooting and stifling defense—holding the Thunder to just 10 points in the second quarter—propel the team to a 6‑1 record and an early Western Conference contender status.
The Dallas Mavericks bounce back with a 4-2 start, snapping the Houston Rockets' unbeaten run as Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving combine for 68 points on Oct. 30, 2026. The win fuels a three‑game streak that includes victories over three playoff contenders, reviving the electric atmosphere last seen in the 2024 playoffs. The 19‑year‑old Flagg drives relentless offense and defense, while Irving, fresh from a 19‑month ACL recovery, drops 26 points in the second half. Rookie Zaccahrie Risacher adds grit with near‑four steals and blocks per game. The Mavericks’ fast, aggressive style makes them both fun to watch and competitive again.
Former NBA forward Josh Smith argues that Kevin McHale’s choice to bench James Harden during the Rockets’ 2015 playoff comeback against the Clippers was a key factor that led to McHale’s firing the next season. Smith links the controversial decision directly to the coach’s dismissal, suggesting the move cost Houston its postseason momentum.