The Rockets face a rested Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m. CT, with Houston playing back‑to‑back after a recent game and the Thunder coming off a day off. Both squads are shorthanded: Houston lists Alperen Şengün (questionable), Steven Adams (out), Marcus Smart, Reed Sheppard and Fred VanVleet (questionable, back‑to‑back) as doubtful; OKC has Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Nikola Tičić, Thomas Sorber and Alex Caruso out. The preview highlights the Thunder’s advantage in rest and the narrative that a win could reaffirm their danger despite their injury list. The game streams on Space City Home Network and NBA TV.
Mavericks Kyrie Irving had been working his way back into form. Friday looked a lot more like the version the Mavericks were waiting for. Irving scored 16 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter and added nine assists as Dallas handed the Rockets their first loss, 116-111. As Austin Veazey of Mavs On SI […]
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Kevin Durant candidly reflects on the Houston Rockets' first loss of the 2026-27 NBA regular season.
Kyrie Irving has seen plenty of talented players throughout his NBA career, and he can spot rare talent when he sees it. It was Cooper Flagg’s competitive drive that has already stood out to the Dallas Mavericks veteran. The 19-year-old showed that quality again Friday, helping Dallas hand the Houston Rockets their first loss of […]
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Kyrie Irving sparks the Dallas Mavericks to a 116-111 win over the Houston Rockets on Oct. 31, 2026, handing Houston its first loss of the season. Irving drops 35 points—26 after halftime—while Cooper Flagg adds 33, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Dallas erupts for 40 of its 116 points in the fourth quarter, improving to 4-2 and staying above .500 for the first time since March 2025. Kevin Durant leads the Rockets with 28 points, but Houston misses Alperen Şengün and Reed Sheppard with back soreness and Steven Adams with a soleus strain. The game, part of the Emirates NBA Cup, featured a fast‑break edge (28-10) for the Mavericks and a 20‑6 second‑chance advantage for the Rockets.
The Dallas Mavericks (4-2) edge the Houston Rockets (5-1) 116-111 in the NBA Cup Group Play opener, snapping Houston’s five‑game winning streak. Kyrie Irving drops a game‑high 35 points with nine assists, while sophomore forward Cooper Flazz erupts for 33 points, nine rebounds and six assists, scoring 11 in the fourth quarter. Rookie Zaccharie Risacher adds 12 points, three steals and a blocked shot while hitting 3‑of‑6 from beyond the arc. The duo’s 68 combined points and 25‑of‑38 shooting overturns the previous Durant‑Jabari Smith Jr. dominance, and the Mavs now host the Sacramento Kings on Monday.
The Dallas Mavericks’ dynamic duo of Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg got to work as they helped bring down the Houston Rockets in the NBA Cup, 116-111. It was the Rockets’ first loss of the season. Irving had a game-high 35 points with four rebounds and nine assists, including some key free throws to ice […]
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Four key takeaways from the Rockets' loss to the Mavericks in the first fixture of the 2026-27 NBA Cup.
Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving turn the tables on the Houston Rockets, each pouring in 33 and 35 points as the Dallas Mavericks snap a 4‑2 start with a 116‑111 victory in the NBA Cup Group A at American Airlines Center on Oct. 30. After a 5‑1 Rockets run and a 128‑110 loss a week earlier, Dallas claws back, shooting 61.9% in the first quarter and forcing 11 turnovers in the half. Despite a disastrous 31‑17 second‑quarter run by Houston, the Mavs rally in the second half, securing their first win of the season.
The Dallas Mavericks snap the Houston Rockets’ unbeaten start with a 116-111 win on Oct. 21, 2026. Kyrie Irving leads Dallas with 33 points on 12‑of‑19 shooting, while rookie Cooper Flagg adds 32 points, going 13‑of‑19. Kevin Durant tops the Rockets with 26 points but misses four free throws, and Clint Capela commits two goaltending violations that prove costly. Jabari Smith Jr. contributes 22 points, yet the Rockets struggle without Alper Şengün, whose status remains uncertain. Despite 20 offensive rebounds, Houston falls short as the Mavericks’ dynamic duo secures the victory, setting up a tough showdown with the Thunder next night.
The Houston Rockets were without Alperen Sengun for their NBA Cup clash against the Dallas Mavericks. However, Kevin Durant has suited up, and he got cleared for takeoff. The 38-year-old showed he still had those hops as he blew by PJ Washington on a drive. He then threw the ball down all over Mavs center […]
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Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg tag teamed with great chemistry as they crafted a great transition dunk highlight during the Dallas Mavericks’ NBA Cup matchup against the Houston Rockets on Friday night. Irving and Flagg are going through their second season together as teammates, their first campaign on the court. The former missed last season […]
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Mavericks coach Dusty May says the team’s biggest defensive upgrade since their 128‑point loss to the Rockets on Oct. 21 is communication. He praised players for spotting the lack of chatter during transition, a flaw that left them outnumbered on eight to ten key possessions. Since then Dallas has held opponents to 105–122 points and gone 3‑1, highlighted by a 96‑point game vs OKC and a 113‑109 win over Miami where they logged ten blocks. The Rockets, fresh off a 132‑100 win over Milwaukee, return for a rematch at 7 p.m. CT at American Airlines Center, promising a tougher test in transition.
Mavericks coach Dusty May remains hopeful as Dallas prepares for its NBA Cup group‑play debut against the unbeaten Houston Rockets (5‑0) on Oct. 30, 7 p.m. CT. May praised Houston’s “off‑the‑charts” toughness, citing the length of Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson and Kevin Durant, plus the playmaking of Fred VanVleet and defensive grit of Marcus Smart. In the season‑opening 128‑110 loss, Durant and Smith each dropped 30 points while Houston’s relentless switching defense forced Dallas into a 4‑of‑19 shooting slump. Dallas, now 3‑2, answered with a 120‑96 win over OKC and will look to erase the opening‑night sting in the rematch.
Mavericks coach Dusty May says rookie forward Morel "Rez" Johnson Jr. is progressing well despite a minutes restriction imposed after shin‑splint concerns. Drafted ninth overall from Michigan, Johnson has logged limited practice time but contributed solidly in early games: 6 points in 13:50 against Houston, 8 points with 6 rebounds in a 121‑105 win at Indiana, 6 points in a 113‑109 victory over Miami, and 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists in a 120‑96 win versus Oklahoma City. Teammate P.J. Washington praises his defensive versatility and work ethic, noting an inevitable up‑and‑down rookie season. Dallas remains shorthanded with Dereck Lively II and Santi Aldama sidelined as they prepare for a matchup against the Kings.
The Houston Rockets host the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 30, 2026, at the American Airlines Center. The Rockets, featuring Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant and Tari Eason, aim to maintain an unbeaten streak, while the Mavericks counter with Kyrie Irving, Max Christie, Cooper Flagg, PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford. A notable moment from the Oct. 21 matchup shows Mavericks forward Sergio de Larrea debuting his jersey patch against Durant. The game tips off at 7 PM CST, broadcast on Space City Home Network and simulcast on KBME Sports Talk 790/KLTN 102.9, with live chat on the SB Nation app.
Mavericks coach Dusty May says forward Tarik Biberović is "very close" to returning from right heel bursitis, though not as near as fellow prospect Santi Aldama. Biberović, listed as doubtful for the 7 p.m. tip‑off against the Houston Rockets on Oct. 30, last appeared on Oct. 11 in a preseason win over Houston in Macao. Acquired in a July 8, six‑team trade and signed to a two‑year, $6 million deal, the 25‑year‑old logged 11.3 points and 41.9% 3‑point shooting in the EuroLeague last season. Meanwhile, Caleb Martin back from a thumb sprain contributed 10 points in a 120‑96 win over OKC, and Dallas faces a 5‑0 Rockets squad missing Alperen Şengün and Marcus Smart.
The Houston Rockets announce Alperen Şengün will sit out Friday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks due to low‑back soreness, marking his second consecutive missed start after a minor strain kept him out against Milwaukee. Meanwhile, Marcus Smart clears a left forearm strain and is listed as available after missing three games since Oct. 24. The Rockets, now 5‑0, rely on players like Fred VanVleet (24 points) and Amen Thompson (23) as they host the Mavericks at 7 p.m. CT, while Dallas deals with injuries to Naji Marshall’s return and several others.
Dallas Mavericks rookie guard Sergio De Larrea (nicknamed “Larry”) will be reevaluated next week after spraining his right knee on Oct. 26 during a 113‑109 win at Miami. The injury kept him out of the 120‑96 victory over Oklahoma City and the upcoming Oct. 30 game against Houston. Coach Dusty May said De Larrea will undergo imaging and expects a clearer picture soon, while also noting Santi Aldama and Tarik Biberović are close to returning. The 20‑year‑old, the 25th overall pick in the 2026 draft, scored 21 points in his Oct. 24 debut against the Spurs. Houston also loses Alperen Şengün to low‑back soreness.
Naji Marshall returns to the Dallas Mavericks after a two‑game illness layoff ahead of Friday’s matchup with the Houston Rockets, while Santi Aldama and Tarik Biberović remain out. Coach Dusty May confirms Marshall, who posted 13.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists in his first three games, will suit up after missing the Oct. 24 loss to San Antonio. Caleb Martin is also available despite a thumb splint. Sergio De Larrea (right knee sprain) and Dereck Lively II (foot surgery recovery) stay out, and both Aldama and Biberović are listed as out, with Aldama “very close” to returning after knee surgery and a practice stint with the Texas Legends. Tip‑off is set for 7 p.m. CT at the American Airlines Center.
The Houston Rockets host the Dallas Mavericks Friday, Oct. 30, at 8:00 PM ET in the NBA Cup’s Western Conference opener. The Rockets enter 2‑0 with a 128‑110 win over Dallas on Oct. 21 and a 132‑100 rout of Milwaukee, led by Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson. Dallas seeks revenge after a 120‑96 victory over OKC, featuring Cooper Flagg’s 26‑point, eight‑assist night and the possible return of Kyrie Irving. Tune to KFDA NewsChannel 10 Too/Space City Home Network or stream on Fubo (free trial).
The Dallas Mavericks (3-2) travel to host the 5-0 Houston Rockets for the opening night of NBA Cup Group Play on Friday at 7 p.m. CST. The Rockets come off a 30‑point demolition of the Bucks, while the Mavericks are fresh off a dominant win over Oklahoma City. Dallas lists Santi Aldama and Tarik Biberović as doubtful, Sergio De Larrea out with a knee sprain, and Naji Marshall questionable. Houston will miss Steven Adams and Reed Shepard, with Alperen Şengün and Marcus Smart listed as questionable. With both teams dealing injuries, the matchup hinges on Dallas’ defense against Kevin Durant and the health of key players.
Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant discussed his appreciation for his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder as he prepares to face his former team on Saturday.
The Houston Rockets have exercised the $14 million fourth-year team option on guard Reed Sheppard for the 2027-28 NBA season, keeping the former third overall pick under contract for another year.
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Rockets The Rockets have another season of Reed Sheppard secured. Houston exercised his approximately $14 million option for 2027-28, according to RealGM. The No. 3 pick in 2024 became a dependable contributor last season, averaging 13.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists while appearing in all 82 games. He started 21. His role has changed […]
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