Durant and Smith Lead Rockets Past Mavericks 128-110 in Season Opener

Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. each contributed 30 points on Wednesday night to lead the Houston Rockets to a convincing 128-110 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the season opener for both teams. The game, played at the Toyota Center in Houston, was largely decided by a stellar second-quarter performance that allowed the hosts to build an insurmountable lead before halftime.

Although the opening quarter was tightly contested with Houston holding a narrow 32-26 advantage, the second frame completely shifted the momentum of the matchup. The Rockets overwhelmed the Mavericks on both ends of the court, outscoring their opponents 38-12 during the period. A blistering 19-2 run late in the half propelled Houston to a commanding 70-38 cushion as the teams headed to the locker rooms.

Jabari Smith Jr. put together an impressive all-around performance for the winners, shooting efficiently while adding five rebounds and four three-pointers to his 30-point tally. Kevin Durant matched his scoring output with 30 points, six rebounds, and three assists, shooting 10-for-16 from the field. Both players had already amassed 16 points apiece by the end of the first half.

Houston's offensive firepower extended well beyond its star duo. Alperen Şengün chipped in with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, while Amen Thompson recorded a double-double of his own with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Point guard Fred VanVleet also made a successful return after missing the previous season due to a torn ACL, orchestrating the offense with 11 assists.

The Mavericks faced an uphill battle throughout the second half but showed signs of life after the break, winning the third quarter 38-30 and taking the final frame 34-28. Cooper Flagg, the top pick and Rookie of the Year last season, led Dallas with a game-high 32 points, five rebounds, and three steals. Kyrie Irving added 15 points in his first regular-season appearance since tearing his left ACL in March 2025.

Despite a second-half surge that cut the deficit down significantly behind contributions from Flagg, Marcus Sasser, and Naji Marshall, the visitors were unable to fully recover from their dreadful second quarter. The loss marked a tough coaching debut for Dallas head coach Dusty May, who took over the reins following the offseason departure of Jason Kidd.

With the emphatic home win safely secured, the Rockets look ahead to their next matchup as they travel to Austin, Texas, to play the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night. Meanwhile, the Mavericks will attempt to bounce back when they visit the Indiana Pacers on the same evening.