October 31, 2026 at 5:01 AM UTC

Postgame Report

Irving and Flagg Hand Houston Its First Loss, 116-111, in Dallas's Cup Opener

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Kyrie Irving scored 35 and Cooper Flagg added 33 as the Mavericks ended the Rockets' unbeaten start without Alperen Sengun on the floor.

Houston's 5-0 start ended in Dallas on Friday night, 116-111, and it is probably wise not to make too much of either number. Five games is five games. The Rockets opened 13-4 last year and that run did not hold, so the record was always going to be a weaker argument than the roster. Dallas still had to beat a team that arrived as the early favorite, and it did.

The bigger question for Houston was who would be available. Alperen Sengun, questionable with a back issue after sitting out the Bucks game, did not play, and that cost the Rockets a player averaging 24.5 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Marcus Smart, also questionable, did play 17 minutes and scored eight. Steven Adams and Reed Sheppard were out. The Rockets made do up front. Tari Eason had 11 points and 13 rebounds for the game's only double-double, and Clint Capela grabbed 11 boards to go with five assists. Kevin Durant scored 28 and Jabari Smith Jr. added 22, but the offense never found much else.

Dallas had the guards and the wing it needed. Kyrie Irving scored 35 and handed out nine assists, and Cooper Flagg had 33 points, nine rebounds and six assists in 39 minutes. Daniel Gafford chipped in 18 points and seven rebounds. It was a different night from the first meeting between these teams, when Houston won 128-110 in a game that was never close. Dallas had every reason to want this one, and it kept the margin at five.

The game also opened NBA Cup play for the Mavericks, so the win counts for something beyond the standings. For Houston, it is a first loss and a reminder of how thin the front line gets when Sengun sits. Whether he returns quickly will shape how this team looks over the next few weeks.

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