Irving, Flagg lead Mavericks past Rockets 116-111 in Dallas

A Decisive Fourth Quarter

The Dallas Mavericks secured a 116-111 victory over the Houston Rockets on Friday at American Airlines Center, snapping Houston’s perfect start to the season. The game was defined by a dominant fourth-quarter surge from the home side, which outscored the visitors 40-27 in the final frame. This late-game explosion allowed Dallas to overcome a mid-game deficit and hold on for the win in front of a crowd of 18,832 fans.

Irving and Flagg Shine

Kyrie Irving was the engine for Dallas, finishing with a game-high 35 points and dishing out nine assists. He was joined by Cooper Flagg, who contributed 33 points, providing a potent scoring duo that kept the Mavericks competitive throughout the contest. P.J. Washington anchored the frontcourt with a game-high 10 rebounds. For Houston, Kevin Durant led the charge with 28 points, while Fred VanVleet supplied six assists. Tari Eason was a force on the glass, collecting 13 rebounds for the Rockets.

Game Flow and Records

The Mavericks opened the scoring with a 27-20 first-quarter lead, though they struggled offensively in the second period, scoring just 17 points. The Rockets trimmed the gap to 51-44 at halftime. Dallas reasserted control in the third quarter, extending their lead to 84-73 entering the fourth. Despite the Rockets’ efforts to close the gap, including a late run by Durant, the Mavericks’ fourth-quarter offensive burst proved too much to overcome. The win improves Dallas to a 4-2 record, while Houston drops to 5-1.

Sources

ESPN