Mavericks fall to Rockets 128-110 as Durant, Smith Jr. combine for 60

Mavericks drop season opener in Houston

The Dallas Mavericks returned to their home base on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, after falling 128-110 to the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The visiting squad started the season with a 0-1 record, while the hosts improved to 1-0. Attendance at the venue reached 18,055 fans for the season opener.

Rockets capitalize on early lead

Houston took control of the game early, leading 32-26 after the first quarter. The Mavericks struggled to keep pace, scoring just 12 points in the second quarter. By halftime, the Rockets had extended their advantage to 70-38.

The home team maintained its dominance throughout the third period, finishing the half with a 38-point lead. The fourth quarter saw Dallas attempt a comeback, but the Rockets’ offensive firepower proved too much to overcome.

Standout performances

Kevin Durant led the Rockets with 30 points, supported by 11 assists from Fred VanVleet. Alperen Sengun contributed 10 rebounds for Houston. For the Mavericks, Cooper Flagg was the standout performer with 32 points. Naji Marshall recorded six assists, while Zaccharie Risacher grabbed six rebounds. Despite these efforts, the Mavericks could not overcome the Rockets’ balanced attack.

Looking ahead

The Mavericks will look to bounce back in their next game, aiming to improve their defensive consistency and offensive efficiency. The Rockets, meanwhile, will seek to build on their strong start to the season. Both teams will be eager to see how their rosters perform in upcoming matchups.

Sources

ESPN