Durant’s 30 Points Lift Rockets Past Mavericks 128-110 in Opener

Game Overview

The Houston Rockets opened their season with a decisive 128-110 victory over the visiting Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. The win improves the Rockets’ record to 1-0, while the Mavericks drop to 0-1 following their loss at Toyota Center in Houston.

First Half Dominance

Houston established control early, jumping out to a 32-26 lead after the first quarter despite Dallas taking an initial 5-0 advantage. The Rockets’ offense found its rhythm in the second period, outscoring Dallas 38-12 to build a commanding halftime margin. Key contributions included strong interior play and efficient shooting from the perimeter.

Second Half Execution

The Mavericks attempted a comeback in the third quarter, winning the period 38-30 to narrow the gap. However, Houston maintained its defensive intensity in the fourth quarter, holding Dallas to 34 points while adding 28 of their own to secure the 18-point victory.

Key Performers

Kevin Durant led the Rockets with 30 points, anchoring the offensive effort. Fred VanVleet orchestrated the playmaking with 11 assists, while Alperen Sengun controlled the glass with 10 rebounds. For Dallas, Cooper Flagg topped the scoring charts with 32 points. Naji Marshall provided distribution with 6 assists, and Zaccharie Risacher contributed 6 rebounds for the visitors.

Final Notes

The game saw significant attendance of 18,055 fans at Toyota Center. Both teams displayed high-scoring efficiency throughout the night, with Houston’s balanced attack proving too much for Dallas to overcome in the season opener.

Sources

ESPN