click2houston
Under the bright lights of a new NBA campaign, the Houston Rockets delivered an explosive first-half performance and cruised to a 128-110 rout of the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night at Toyota Center.
Kevin Durant, now in his 20th NBA season, led the charge with 30 points, while Jabari Smith Jr. matched his teammate's output with 30 of his own. The Rockets' defense stifled Dallas in the second quarter, limiting the Mavericks to just 12 points, and Houston took a commanding 70-32 lead into halftime.
Reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, in his second-year debut, finished with 32 points to pace the Mavericks. Houston connected on 16 three-pointers in the victory.
Alperen Sengun contributed a strong all-around game with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. Fred VanVleet, returning from a lengthy absence, logged 30 minutes and dished out 11 assists to go with 6 points. VanVleet had missed the entire 2025-2026 season after suffering an ACL injury before last year's training camp.
The Rockets will play four of their next five games on the road, starting with a Friday night matchup against the San Antonio Spurs in Austin at the University of Texas arena.
Key Analysis
Houston's balanced attack, highlighted by Durant and Smith Jr.'s scoring outbursts and Sengun's interior presence, overwhelmed Dallas early. The Rockets' 16 three-pointers and stifling second-quarter defense showcased their potential as a contender. VanVleet's return adds veteran playmaking, while Flagg's 32-point effort offers a silver lining for the Mavericks.
Originally reported by click2houston.