Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. scored 30 points apiece as Houston turned a close first quarter into a 128–110 win over Dallas at Toyota Center.
Final · October 21, 2026 · Toyota Center, Houston
Houston Rockets 128
Dallas Mavericks 110
Top scorers: Durant 30 · Smith 30 · Flagg 32
The Houston Rockets opened the 2026–27 NBA season with a 128–110 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night. Houston seized control with a 38–12 second quarter, turning a six-point lead after the first period into a 70–38 advantage at halftime.
Durant and Smith supplied the headline scoring, while Alperen Şengün added 23 points and 10 rebounds. The official NBA game summary records the result and Houston’s balanced production. For Dallas, second-year star Cooper Flagg finished with a game-high 32 points, but the Mavericks could not recover from their first-half deficit.
For full coverage of basketball across the Lone Star State, visit Texas Basketball Champs.
Houston’s second quarter decided the opener
Dallas held its own early, trailing 32–26 after the first quarter. The game changed in the second. Houston’s defense limited the Mavericks to 12 points while the Rockets scored 38, including a 19–2 run that stretched the lead to 32 by halftime.
Houston maintained its cushion after the break. The Mavericks outscored the Rockets in the second half, but the deficit was too large to erase. Dallas finished with 110 points; Houston’s 128 came from a combination of transition chances, efficient shooting and strong play inside.
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Mavericks | 26 | 12 | 38 | 34 | 110 |
| Houston Rockets | 32 | 38 | 30 | 28 | 128 |
Durant, Smith and Şengün power Houston
Durant and Smith each scored 30 points, giving Houston two reliable scoring options throughout the opener. Şengün’s 23 points and 10 rebounds added another dimension, helping the Rockets establish an advantage in the frontcourt.
Fred VanVleet also made an important return. After missing the previous season while recovering from a torn ACL, the Houston guard handed out 11 assists without a turnover. His shooting was less efficient—he made two of eight attempts—but his playmaking helped the Rockets move the ball and create looks for their scorers. The Houston Chronicle’s report on VanVleet’s return details his impact in the opener.
Flagg leads Dallas as the Mavericks look to regroup
Flagg’s 32 points gave Dallas a clear bright spot. He scored 23 of them after halftime, attacking more aggressively as the Mavericks tried to narrow the gap. Kyrie Irving also returned to game action and scored 15 points in 24 minutes, offering Dallas another experienced playmaker.
The biggest challenge for the Mavericks was sustaining their execution through the second quarter. Head coach Dusty May and Flagg both pointed to that stretch as a key problem after the game. Dallas will need better communication and transition defense to avoid another early deficit of that scale.
What’s next for the Texas teams?
Houston’s next game is another in-state matchup: the Rockets are scheduled to face the San Antonio Spurs at Austin’s Moody Center on Friday, October 23, at 8:30 p.m. CT. The NBA event listing has the venue and game details.
For the Rockets, the opener offered an early look at how Durant, Smith, Şengün and VanVleet can work together. Dallas has an immediate chance to respond, with the season still in its first week and plenty of time to address the breakdowns exposed in Houston.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Rockets–Mavericks season opener?
The Houston Rockets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 128–110 on October 21, 2026.
Who led the Rockets in scoring?
Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. led Houston with 30 points each. Alperen Şengün added 23 points and 10 rebounds.
How many points did Cooper Flagg score?
Flagg scored a game-high 32 points for Dallas.
When do the Rockets play the Spurs?
Houston is scheduled to play San Antonio on Friday, October 23, at the Moody Center in Austin. Tipoff is listed for 8:30 p.m. CT.
Houston is scheduled to play San Antonio on Friday, October 23, at the Moody Center in Austin. Tipoff is listed for 8:30 p.m. CT.The Bottom Line
Houston’s 38–12 second quarter set the tone for a convincing 128–110 opening-night win. Durant and Smith each reached 30 points, Şengün added a double-double, and VanVleet made a productive return as a facilitator. Flagg’s 32 points gave Dallas an individual highlight, but the Mavericks will need a more complete performance to prevent another game from getting away in one quarter.