Eason leads Houston
20 points from Tari Eason helped the Houston Rockets open their season with a 135-117 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Venetian Arena. Houston, the visiting team, led 27-19 after the first quarter and took a 65-45 advantage into halftime.
Alperen Sengun added 10 assists and 10 rebounds for the Rockets. Fred VanVleet opened the scoring with a 25-foot step-back 3-pointer, then followed with two more baskets as Houston built a 9-0 lead. The Rockets finished the first quarter ahead by eight and extended the margin in the second.
Dallas answers after halftime
Dallas scored 35 points in the third quarter, compared with 34 for Houston, but the Mavericks still entered the fourth trailing 99-80. Houston then scored 36 points in the final period, while Dallas scored 37.
Cooper Flagg led Dallas with 19 points. Dwight Powell recorded eight assists, and Zaccharie Risacher had eight rebounds. Dallas closed the game with four consecutive scoring plays, including two baskets by Jett Howard and a 2-foot layup by Sergio de Larrea, but Houston maintained its lead through the final score.
