Tari Eason scores 20 as Rockets defeat Mavericks 135-117

Rockets set the tone

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason scored 20 points, and the visiting Rockets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 135-117 on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Venetian Arena. The game drew an attendance of 11,564.

Houston established control immediately. Fred VanVleet made Houston’s first three shots, all from beyond the arc, as the Rockets opened a 9-0 lead. Dallas answered with a 3-pointer from Max Christie and a dunk by Cooper Flagg, but Houston finished the first quarter ahead 27-19.

Houston extends its advantage

The Rockets widened the margin in the second quarter, outscoring Dallas 38-26. Houston used baskets from Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr. and Kevin Durant to build a 58-33 lead. Dallas trimmed the deficit with several baskets from Flagg, Naji Marshall and others, but Houston took a 65-45 advantage into halftime.

Sengun contributed 10 assists and 10 rebounds for Houston. Eason added to his scoring total with a 3-pointer and a dunk during the third quarter, while Reed Sheppard hit three 3-pointers in the period. The Rockets led 99-80 after three quarters, despite Dallas scoring 35 points in the frame to Houston’s 34.

Mavericks make a late push

Dallas outscored Houston 37-36 in the fourth quarter, but the deficit remained too large to overcome. The Mavericks received late scoring from Jett Howard, Tobi Lawal and Sergio de Larrea, while Bruce Thornton made several baskets for Houston, including a 3-pointer that put the Rockets ahead 135-115. De Larrea’s layup supplied the final points.

Flagg led Dallas with 19 points. Dwight Powell recorded eight assists, and Zaccharie Risacher had eight rebounds.

Records

The victory moved Houston to 1-0. Dallas opened at 0-1.

Sources

ESPN