Rockets Roll to a 97-76 Win Over Mavericks in Macao
The Houston Rockets opened the 2026 preseason with a 97-76 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday at the Venetian Arena in Macao, the first of two games the clubs are playing abroad as part of the NBA China Games. The Rockets and Mavericks faced off at The Venetian Arena in Macao as part of a league push that, as the league itself has noted, brings NBA teams back to China for the first time since 2019 last year before this second edition of the exhibition series.
Houston controlled the game behind a balanced effort, while Dallas struggled to find consistent offense outside of its two headline stars. The result continues a recent run of success for the Rockets in this geographic matchup, which leads the all-time regular-season series 107-98, having won five of the last eight meetings between the two Texas franchises.
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Sengun's All-Around Night Headlines the Victory
Center Alperen Sengun was the story of the box score, finishing with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists — a near triple-double that showcased the playmaking role he has taken on for Houston. His ability to set up teammates while still controlling the glass gave the Rockets an edge in a game that was otherwise tight through the opening minutes.
Cooper Flagg answered for Dallas with 19 points and 6 rebounds, continuing to look every bit the player who was the centerpiece of the Mavericks' rebuild a year ago. Even in defeat, his performance offered an early reminder of why Dallas is building its entire system around him heading into his second NBA season.
Kyrie Irving Finally Takes the Floor With Cooper Flagg
The bigger storyline in Macao had little to do with the final score. Kyrie Irving was cleared without restrictions ahead of the China Games opener, finally putting him on the floor nearly 19 months after tearing his left ACL on March 3, 2025. Friday marked the first time Irving and Flagg shared an NBA court together in Dallas colors.
Flagg's Rookie Year Looms Large
Flagg arrives at this partnership fresh off a historic debut season. He won Rookie of the Year after averaging 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 70 games, and in April became the first teenager to score 50 points in an NBA game. That production is a big reason the Mavericks, coming off a difficult season under new college basketball star-turned-NBA-coach Dusty May, believe they can climb back up the Western Conference standings quickly.
A Pairing 19 Months in the Making
Flagg described how quickly the chemistry has developed in practice, saying of Irving: “the gravity that he commands has gotten me a lot of easier shots as well.” For a Mavericks team that is seeking a fresh start under Dusty May following a 26-56 season, having its two stars finally on the court together is the clearest sign of progress to come out of the trip.
Houston's Reshaped Roster Pays Off
The win also offered an early look at how Houston's revamped backcourt fits together. The Rockets spent the offseason adding depth around Kevin Durant and Sengun, most notably by reaching agreement with free-agent guard Marcus Smart. Smart agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with Houston, with a player option for the second season, and the move reunited him with head coach Ime Udoka, his former coach in Boston. Durant, meanwhile, is opening his second season in Houston, and he is set to begin his 19th NBA season after averaging more than 25 points for the 17th time in his career last year.
What Comes Next for Both Teams
Friday's result does not settle much on its own, since preseason outcomes carry no bearing on the regular-season standings. But the trip is far from over for either franchise. Houston and Dallas will play a second preseason game in Macao on Sunday, October 11, giving both coaching staffs one more chance to experiment with lineups before the games start to count.
The rivalry will also resume on home soil later this fall, since the two clubs are grouped together in conference play and are already a known quantity to each other after their January meeting in Houston. For now, the takeaways from Macao are straightforward: Sengun looks ready to expand his game as a facilitator, Flagg is picking up where his rookie season left off, and Irving's return gives Dallas a second All-Star-caliber scorer to pair with its young star as the real season approaches.