The Houston Rockets narrowly defeated the Dallas Mavericks 111-107 on Saturday night, surviving a late push led by rookie sensation Cooper Flagg. Amen Thompson’s near triple-double paced the Rockets to their second straight win, highlighting a balanced team effort in a crucial Southwest Division clash.
In a game played at the Toyota Center in Houston on January 31, 2026, the Rockets improved to 30-17 while the Mavericks fell to 19-30, with both teams trading blows early. Dallas relied heavily on Flagg, who exploded for 34 points and 12 rebounds, but Houston’s depth proved decisive as all five starters scored in double figures. The contest was part of the NBA regular season, drawing attention for its intense finish and individual performances.
The first half set the tone, with Flagg and Brandon Williams combining for 22 points in the opening quarter to keep Dallas competitive. However, Williams exited in the second quarter with a lower leg contusion, thinning the Mavericks’ rotation. Houston capitalized, building a 59-51 halftime lead behind Amen Thompson’s playmaking and Jabari Smith Jr.’s scoring, showcasing their offensive versatility.
After halftime, the Rockets extended their advantage, leading by as many as 13 points in the third quarter following a corner three-pointer from Josh Okogie. Okogie added 13 points off the bench, providing a spark with his defense and timely shooting. Despite this, Dallas refused to fade, with Flagg igniting a rally that trimmed the deficit to six points entering the final period.
The fourth quarter featured a dramatic comeback attempt by the Mavericks, as Flagg scored on three consecutive possessions to narrow the gap. With 47 seconds remaining, Naji Marshall’s pull-up jumper tied the game at 107-107, putting pressure on Houston. The Rockets responded calmly, executing down the stretch to secure the win.
In the closing moments, Alperen Sengun scored in the paint to give Houston a 109-107 lead with 28.6 seconds left. After Flagg missed a contested layup, Kevin Durant found Tari Eason for an open dunk with 14.4 seconds remaining, capping the scoring. Sengun finished with a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Eason added 17 points and seven rebounds, underscoring Houston’s collective effort.
Statistically, Thompson led the Rockets with 21 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds, falling just short of a triple-double. Smith contributed 19 points, and Durant had 13 points and eight assists, though he and Sengun shot a combined 12 for 37. For Dallas, Daniel Gafford chipped in 16 points and 11 rebounds, but the team struggled with 11 turnovers compared to Houston’s six.
The victory squared the season series at 2-2 between the Texas rivals, with implications for playoff positioning in the Western Conference. Houston’s ability to share the ball, evidenced by 28 assists, and their defensive resilience were key factors. Looking ahead, the Rockets aim to build on this momentum, while the Mavericks must address consistency issues despite Flagg’s standout performances.
