Houston's Alperen Sengun posted a 16-point triple-double and Tari Eason added 20 off the bench as the Rockets built a 28-point lead in Dallas's preseason opener, a 135-117 loss. Cooper Flagg scored 19 but finished minus-15, and Dallas faces Houston again on October 11, the exact date five regulars are targeting to return.
Sengun Ran the Middle
Sengun controlled the middle with a 16-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist line in 22 minutes, and Kevin Durant added 15 points and Fred VanVleet 17. Houston's bench outscored Dallas's reserves early too, with Tari Eason going for 20 points and a plus-17 mark. The Rockets built their lead in bursts — four separate 9-0 or 10-0 runs across the first three quarters — and the gap peaked at 28 points before Dallas trimmed it late.
Flagg's Rough Night
Flagg shot 7-for-14 for 19 points but played the final few minutes on the bench, finishing minus-15 in 19 minutes. Naji Marshall scored 16 and Zaccharie Risacher grabbed 8 rebounds, but both finished minus-13 as Houston's starters pulled away. Dallas's reserves closed the gap: Tobi Lawal scored 13 on 5-for-6 shooting and plus-2, and Sergio de Larrea added 11 points and 6 assists, sparking the 9-0 run that ended the fourth quarter.
Five Targets, Same Date
P.J. Washington, Marcus Sasser, Caleb Martin, Santi Aldama and Lively are each working back from injury, and all five share the same target: the October 11 rematch at Houston. Whether any of them actually suits up there is the open question hanging over a second meeting with the team that just handed Dallas its widest preseason margin.
What was the score of the Mavericks' preseason opener against the Rockets?
Houston won 135-117, building a 28-point lead behind Alperen Sengun's 16-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist line.
When do the Mavericks play the Rockets again?
Dallas faces Houston again on October 11, the same date five injured regulars are targeting for their return.
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