Rockets Dominate Mavericks Behind 38-12 Second Quarter

Overview

• The Houston Rockets beat the Dallas Mavericks 128-110 in the season opener Wednesday night, turning the game into a decisive victory.
• Houston outscored Dallas 38-12 in the second quarter and led 70-38 at halftime, a run that effectively decided the game early.
• Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. each scored 30 points while Alperen Şengün had a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double and the Rockets shot about 52 percent from the floor.
• Cooper Flagg led Dallas with 32 points but usage and rotation choices drew scrutiny, and Kyrie Irving scored 15 in a minutes-managed return from his March 2025 ACL tear.
• The win highlights Houston's improved ball movement with VanVleet's turnover-free 11-assist outing and raises immediate questions for Dallas about rotations, defensive communication, and how it will integrate young star Flagg.