Tari Eason scores 20 as Rockets defeat Mavericks 135-117

Rockets Finish on Top

Tari Eason scored 20 points as the Houston Rockets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 135-117 on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Venetian Arena. Houston was the visiting team, while Dallas played at home. The Rockets improved to 1-0, and the Mavericks fell to 0-1.

Alperen Sengun added 10 assists and 10 rebounds for Houston. Cooper Flagg led Dallas with 19 points. Dwight Powell had eight assists for the Mavericks, while Zaccharie Risacher collected eight rebounds.

Houston Establishes Early Margin

The Rockets opened with three consecutive 3-point baskets by Fred VanVleet, moving ahead 9-0. Dallas answered with a 3-pointer from Max Christie and dunks by Amen Thompson and Flagg helped Houston continue to lead. Houston held a 27-19 advantage after the first quarter.

Houston then produced 38 points in the second quarter. Jabari Smith Jr. made two 3-pointers in the period, while Sengun scored on a dunk, a layup and two free throws. Dallas received 3-pointers from Flagg and Max Christie, but the Rockets led 65-45 at halftime.

Mavericks Trim the Gap Late

Dallas scored the first five points of the third quarter, including a 3-pointer by Christie, but Houston maintained its advantage. The Rockets led 72-51 before Dallas made a series of shots from beyond the arc, including 3-pointers by Tarik Biberovic, Zaccharie Risacher and Sergio de Larrea. Houston answered with 3-pointers from VanVleet, Reed Sheppard and Isaiah Crawford and took a 99-80 lead into the fourth.

The Mavericks scored 37 points in the final quarter, their highest total of the game. They got late baskets from Tobi Lawal, Jett Howard and Sergio de Larrea, but Houston also scored 36 points. Bruce Thornton made three 3-pointers in the quarter, and the Rockets closed out the 135-117 victory.

Records and Setting

The game was played at Venetian Arena before an attendance of 11,564. Houston finished with a 135-117 win, moving to 1-0. Dallas finished at 0-1.

Sources

ESPN