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October 10, 2026 at 3:28 AM UTC

Postgame Report

Rockets run past Mavericks in Macao, 135-117, to open the China Games

Houston opened its preseason with an 18-point win over a Dallas team missing Kyrie Irving, with the same two teams back in the same building on Sunday.

October 9th Injury Report: Houston Rockets vs Dallas Mavericks — Yahoo Sports
October 9th Injury Report: Houston Rockets vs Dallas Mavericks — Yahoo Sports

MACAO — The Houston Rockets opened their preseason with a 135-117 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, the first game of the NBA China Games. The teams were an ocean away from home, and they will play again Sunday in the same arena. Houston was never seriously tested, and the 18-point margin was about right for how the night went.

The larger question on the Dallas side was who wouldn't be there. Kyrie Irving had been expected to make his debut in this series, but he was ruled out for Friday as he continues to work back from a torn left ACL, and the target is now Sunday. Without him, the Mavericks leaned on Cooper Flagg, who scored 19 points in 19 minutes, and on Naji Marshall and Max Christie, who finished with 16 and 14. Dwight Powell had eight assists in 13 minutes, which tells you something about how the ball moved. It did not move well enough to keep up.

Houston, meanwhile, came in with no one on its injury report, so this was the first extended look at the full group. Tari Eason led the Rockets with 20 points and nine rebounds. Fred VanVleet added 17 points and seven assists, Reed Sheppard had 16 off the bench, and Kevin Durant scored 15 in 23 minutes. Alperen Sengun had the most complete night, with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in 22 minutes. Dereck Lively II, a game-time decision after foot surgery that has kept him out since last November, did not play, so Dallas worked the middle with Daniel Gafford and Moussa Cisse.

Yao Ming was part of the welcoming committee for both teams, a fitting link for a Houston club making this trip. The Rockets lead the all-time regular-season series 107-98 and have won five of the last eight meetings, and Friday added to that. The Mavericks get another try on Sunday, and they may have Irving for it.

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