Durant’s 30 Points Lift Rockets Past Mavericks in Season Opener

A Road Trip Begins With a Loss

The Dallas Mavericks’ hopes for a strong start to the 2026-27 season were dashed on Wednesday night as they fell 128-110 to the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center. Despite a historic individual performance from rookie Cooper Flagg, the visiting team could not sustain their offensive output against a resilient Rockets squad that took control early and never looked back.

Flagg’s Career Night Falls Short

Cooper Flagg was the standout player for Dallas, pouring in a game-high 32 points. He was relentless on the glass as well, pulling down six rebounds to go with his scoring outburst. Flagg utilized a mix of drives and jump shots, including several three-pointers, to keep the Mavericks competitive in the first half.

However, the rest of the Dallas roster struggled to find consistent rhythm against Houston’s defense.

Naji Marshall contributed six assists for the Mavericks, helping facilitate offense when Flagg drew double teams. Zaccharie Risacher also added value on the boards with six rebounds, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit. The Mavericks’ inability to stop Houston’s primary scorers ultimately defined the evening.

Rockets Dominate With Balanced Attack

Kevin Durant led Houston with 30 points, providing the steady scoring punch the team needed. He attacked the rim effectively throughout the game, finishing with key baskets in critical moments. Alperen Sengun controlled the interior for Houston, grabbing 10 rebounds to anchor the frontcourt.

The Rockets’ ball movement was superior, with Fred VanVleet dishing out 11 assists to orchestrate the offense. This distribution allowed Houston to maintain its lead through all four quarters. The team’s ability to score in bursts, particularly in the second quarter where they outscored Dallas 38-12, proved decisive.

Final Score and Records

The Rockets improved their record to 1-0 with this victory, while the Mavericks dropped to 0-1. The final score of 128-110 reflected Houston’s dominance in key statistical categories, particularly rebounding and playmaking. Dallas will look to bounce back from this defeat as they continue their preseason preparations.

Sources

ESPN