Mavericks Fall to Rockets 135-117 Despite Cooper Flagg’s 19 Points

Dallas Starts in a Deficit

The Dallas Mavericks could not overcome an early Houston surge, falling 135-117 to the Rockets on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Venetian Arena. Cooper Flagg led Dallas with 19 points, while Tari Eason scored 20 for Houston.

Houston scored the game’s first nine points, with Fred VanVleet making three consecutive shots, including a 32-foot running pullup. Dallas answered with a 3-pointer from Max Christie and a dunk by Flagg, but the Rockets finished the first quarter ahead 27-19.

Houston Extends the Margin

The Rockets widened the gap in the second quarter, outscoring Dallas 38-26. Houston’s advantage reached 58-33 before Dallas closed the half with a stretch that included baskets from Naji Marshall, Flagg and Zaccharie Risacher. The Rockets took a 65-45 lead into halftime.

Eason scored Houston’s first five points of the third quarter, and the Rockets continued to control the game. Dallas cut into the margin during the period, with Max Christie and Tarik Biberovic making 3-pointers, but Houston still led 99-80 after three quarters.

Records Set After the Game

Dallas produced 37 points in the fourth quarter, one more than Houston’s 36, but the deficit remained too large. Houston reached 135 points on a 3-pointer by Bruce Thornton before Sergio de Larrea’s layup provided the final Dallas points.

Alperen Sengun supplied 10 assists and 10 rebounds for Houston. Dwight Powell had eight assists for Dallas, and Risacher finished with eight rebounds. The Rockets also received 20 points from Eason as they completed the 27-19, 38-26, 34-35, 36-37 scoring sequence.

The game was played before an attendance of 11,564 at Venetian Arena. Dallas dropped to 0-1, while Houston moved to 1-0.

Sources

ESPN