Mavericks Beat Rockets 132-115 as Marcus Smart Scores 20

Final result

Marcus Smart scored 20 points for the Houston Rockets, but the Dallas Mavericks finished with a 132-115 victory Sunday at Venetian Arena. Dallas, the visiting team, improved to 1-1, while Houston also moved to 1-1 after the home loss. Kyrie Irving scored 17 points for the Mavericks, and Amen Thompson recorded six assists for the Rockets.

Dallas takes control early

Dallas led 28-27 after the opening quarter, with Irving scoring on a 25-foot 3-point jumper and Cooper Flagg adding two free throws among the Mavericks’ early points. Houston’s first quarter included 3-pointers from Jabari Smith Jr., Reed Sheppard, Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic.

The Mavericks widened the margin in the second quarter, outscoring Houston 30-24. Dallas moved ahead 37-31 on Irving’s running layup and later reached a 55-40 advantage. Houston answered with a 3-pointer from Smart and a dunk by Sheppard before trailing 58-51 at halftime. Flagg finished with seven assists, while Smith had nine rebounds for Houston.

Rockets make a push, Mavericks answer

Houston briefly moved in front during the third quarter, taking a 66-64 lead on Amen Thompson’s 3-pointer. Dallas regained control as Max Christie, Flagg, Zaccharie Risacher and Naji Marshall contributed to the scoring. The Mavericks closed the period with a 37-34 edge and carried a 95-85 lead into the fourth.

Dallas then outscored Houston 37-30 in the final quarter. Risacher scored on a 23-foot 3-pointer and two dunks during the period, while Tarik Biberovic added a 3-pointer and a running layup. Sergio de Larrea had seven rebounds for Dallas. Houston’s late scoring included baskets by Bruce Thornton and Oscar Tshiebwe, but the Rockets did not close the gap.

Records and attendance

The game was played Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, at Venetian Arena before an announced attendance of 11,711. The Mavericks and Rockets both leave the game with 1-1 records.

Sources

ESPN