Durant, Smith lead Rockets past Mavericks 128-110

A Dominant Start Sets the Tone

The Houston Rockets established control early, defeating the visiting Dallas Mavericks 128-110 on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Played before a crowd of 18,055 at Toyota Center, the contest began with Houston capitalizing on offensive efficiency while Dallas struggled to maintain rhythm.

The Rockets jumped out to a 32-26 lead in the first quarter, leveraging timely three-point shooting and aggressive drives to build an early advantage that never truly wavered.

The Second Quarter Surge

Houston’s defense tightened significantly in the second period, holding Dallas to just 12 points while scoring 38 themselves. This defensive stand allowed the Rockets to extend their lead substantially before halftime. Kevin Durant was instrumental in this stretch, contributing key baskets and free throws.

The Mavericks, led by Cooper Flagg who finished with 32 points for Dallas, attempted to rally but could not overcome the deficit created by Houston’s explosive second quarter. By the time the teams headed to the locker rooms, the Rockets had built a commanding buffer.

Maintaining Control Down the Stretch

The third quarter saw both teams trade baskets, with Dallas outscoring Houston 38-30 in the period. However, the earlier deficit proved too large to erase. Durant continued his offensive output, finishing with 30 points for Houston.

The Rockets’ bench provided crucial support, and Fred VanVleet orchestrated the offense effectively, dishing out 11 assists. Alperen Sengun controlled the glass for Houston with 10 rebounds, providing a foundation for the team’s interior defense.

Closing Out the Game

Dallas managed to win the fourth quarter 34-28, but it was insufficient to change the outcome. Naji Marshall contributed six assists for the Mavericks, helping facilitate their offense in the final period. Zaccharie Risacher grabbed six rebounds for Dallas, matching up against Houston’s frontcourt presence.

Ultimately, the Rockets’ balanced attack and superior start secured the victory. With the win, Houston improves to 1-0 on the season, while Dallas falls to 0-1.

Key Performances

Kevin Durant led all scorers with 30 points for the Rockets. Cooper Flagg was the top performer for Dallas with 32 points. Fred VanVleet directed the Houston offense with 11 assists, while Naji Marshall led Dallas with six assists. Alperen Sengun recorded 10 rebounds for Houston, and Zaccharie Risacher grabbed six for Dallas. The result marks the season opener for both Texas-based franchises.

Sources

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