Dallas returns to Houston on Oct. 11, two days after a 117-135 loss in the preseason opener, then closes the week at home against the Pelicans and Hawks. Five injured Mavericks are targeting that same Oct. 11 date to return, and Houston's Kevin Durant carries a status listed as not injury related for the rematch.
Rockets Get A Fast Rematch
Dallas gets a fast chance to answer. The Mavericks head back to Houston for an Oct. 11 preseason rematch on NBA TV, two days after a 117-135 loss in which Houston's lead swelled to 28 points. Cooper Flagg scored 19 points but finished minus-15 in just 19 minutes, and a closing five of Moussa Cisse, Sergio de Larrea, Seth Lundy, Tarik Biberovic and Tobi Lawal shows how deep into the bench that fourth quarter went. Houston's Kevin Durant is listed as not injury related on the Rockets' injury report, leaving his own status for the rematch unclear.
Five Names Share One Date
Marcus Sasser (hip), P.J. Washington (ankle), Caleb Martin (illness) and Santi Aldama (knee) all carry the same estimated return date of Oct. 11, the exact day Dallas lines back up against Houston. Dereck Lively II, working back from a right foot and leg issue, shares that same target. Any two or three of the five back in the rotation changes what Dusty May can run, compared with the shorthanded group that took the floor on Oct. 9.
A Bridge To The Opener
After Houston, the schedule turns calmer. Dallas hosts the Pelicans on Oct. 14 on NBA TV and the Hawks on Oct. 16, with two full days of rest built into every turnaround and no back-to-backs anywhere in sight. That stretch is a bridge: Dallas sees Houston a third time on Oct. 21, when this preseason series becomes the actual regular-season opener at Rockets. Three meetings with the same team in twelve days makes this week less about the win column and more about what Udoka's group shows Dallas twice before it counts.
When do the Mavericks play the Rockets again?
Dallas visits Houston on Oct. 11 for a preseason rematch, two days after falling 117-135 in the series opener.
Which Mavericks are hurt heading into this week?
Marcus Sasser, P.J. Washington, Caleb Martin, Dereck Lively II and Santi Aldama are all targeting an Oct. 11 return.
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