Mavericks pull away from Rockets 132-115 behind balanced effort

Dallas takes control

The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Houston Rockets 132-115 on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, at Venetian Arena. Marcus Smart scored 20 points for Houston, which hosted the game, while Dallas remained ahead through the final three quarters after taking a 28-27 lead at the end of the first.

Kyrie Irving scored 17 points for the Mavericks. Cooper Flagg recorded seven assists for Dallas, and Sergio de Larrea had seven rebounds. For Houston, Amen Thompson had six assists and Jabari Smith Jr. collected nine rebounds.

Mavericks build a halftime edge

Dallas added to its one-point advantage in the second quarter, outscoring Houston 30-24. The Mavericks took a 58-51 lead into halftime. Houston’s scoring included three-point baskets from Reed Sheppard and Smart, while the Rockets also received a three-pointer from Smith Jr. in the opening quarter.

The Mavericks’ second-quarter scoring included a pair of three-pointers from P.J. Washington and one from Sergio de Larrea. Daniel Gafford also scored several times in the period, including a dunk and a driving layup.

Houston makes a push, Dallas answers

The Rockets scored 34 points in the third quarter, but Dallas answered with 37. Houston moved in front 66-64 during the period before the Mavericks regained the lead. Dallas ended the quarter with a 95-85 advantage after three quarters.

The Mavericks then outscored Houston 37-30 in the fourth. Zaccharie Risacher scored multiple times in the final period, including a three-pointer, a tip-in dunk and a reverse dunk. Tarik Biberovic added a three-pointer and a running layup, while Sergio de Larrea scored twice late in the quarter. Oscar Tshiebwe scored 10 of Houston’s final 12 points, including the game’s last basket.

The attendance at Venetian Arena was 11,711. The Rockets finished the game with a 1-1 record, and the Mavericks also moved to 1-1.

Sources

ESPN