Houston Rockets produced a dominant home performance on October 22, 2026, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 128-110 behind a balanced attack and a decisive second-half run. The Rockets turned a competitive first half into a comfortable win by controlling the paint, forcing turnovers and getting timely three-point shooting from their perimeter rotation.

Game overview

Dallas started well behind Anthony Davis’s interior scoring and Kyrie Irving’s shot creation, keeping the game close through the opening quarter. Houston responded with energy from Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun, using offensive rebounds and second-chance points to build a small halftime lead. The third quarter is where the game broke open: the Rockets tightened their defense, pushed the pace and turned Dallas’s misses into quick transition opportunities.

Key moments

Houston’s decisive stretch came midway through the third quarter, when it ripped off an 18-2 run that flipped a tight game into a double-digit lead. Sengun anchored the run with a pair of baskets and a assist out of the post, while Thompson’s activity on the wing created extra possessions. Dallas called timeout to stop the momentum, but the Rockets kept the pressure on and never let the Mavericks get closer than nine points in the fourth.

Tactical story

The Rockets won the battle in the paint and on the glass, which allowed them to survive an uneven shooting night from deep early on. Houston’s defense forced Dallas into contested mid-range looks and limited clean catch-and-shoot threes. Dallas had success when Irving created off the dribble, but the Mavericks struggled to string together stops on the other end. Houston’s depth and rebounding advantage gradually wore down the visitors.

Standout players

• Alperen Sengun was Houston’s hub, finishing with 26 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists while controlling the interior.
• Amen Thompson added 22 points and 8 rebounds, providing energy on both ends and sparking the third-quarter run.
• Anthony Davis led Dallas with 30 points and 11 rebounds, but his production came with limited support in the second half.
• Kyrie Irving scored 24 points for the Mavericks, mixing pull-up jumpers with drives, though Houston’s late pressure limited his clean looks.

Table and season impact

The win gives Houston a strong early-season result against a divisional opponent and highlights the team’s ability to win with defense and rebounding when outside shots are not falling consistently. For Dallas, the loss exposes the gap between its star-driven offense and its half-court defense on a night when Houston controlled the possession battle. The Rockets’ margin of victory also provides an early boost to their point differential and confidence in the Western Conference standings.