The Dallas Mavericks (4-2) edge the Houston Rockets (5-1) 116-111 in the NBA Cup Group Play opener, snapping Houston’s five‑game winning streak. Kyrie Irving drops a game‑high 35 points with nine assists, while sophomore forward Cooper Flazz erupts for 33 points, nine rebounds and six assists, scoring 11 in the fourth quarter. Rookie Zaccharie Risacher adds 12 points, three steals and a blocked shot while hitting 3‑of‑6 from beyond the arc. The duo’s 68 combined points and 25‑of‑38 shooting overturns the previous Durant‑Jabari Smith Jr. dominance, and the Mavs now host the Sacramento Kings on Monday.
Kyrie Irving leads the Dallas Mavericks to a 116-111 victory over the Houston Rockets in the NBA Cup, dropping a season‑high 35 points along with four rebounds and nine assists. The crowd erupts in MVP chants as Irving nails crucial free throws in the final seconds. Rookie Cooper Flagg adds 33 points, nine boards and six assists, extending his scoring streak despite a recent shoulder injury. The win marks the Mavericks’ third straight triumph and fuels talk of Irving’s lingering MVP potential as he manages his comeback from a knee injury.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ recent success hinges on a dominant rushing attack, not a passing game. After crushing the Cowboys and the Panthers on the ground, the Bucs have won two of their last three contests. However, the upcoming Sunday matchup poses a tougher test for their run game, with opponents expected to tighten their defensive front. The article breaks down the factors that could limit Tampa Bay’s ground attack and what the team must adjust to maintain its winning streak.
Four key takeaways from the Rockets' loss to the Mavericks in the first fixture of the 2026-27 NBA Cup.
Schottenheimer coached Brissett in Indianapolis, and he said Friday the Cardinals quarterback knows how to use a tight end like McBride, who has 59 catches in seven games.
Erin Andrews reveals on her "Calm Down with Erin and Charissa" podcast that Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott once called her out for wearing a Christmas‑green suit during a 2022 Cowboys‑Eagles overtime game (40‑34). Andrews says she avoids team colors and sticks to neutral tones, but players sometimes notice her choices. She also recounts past outfit buzz, like a black‑and‑white fur coat at a 49ers‑Eagles wild‑card game and a magenta top that drew criticism at LSU‑Clemson. Andrews argues female broadcasters shouldn’t be forced into safety, emphasizing weather‑appropriate, confidence‑driven style.
Arizona has won eight of the last nine meetings, and Schottenheimer put the Cowboys at minus-11 in turnovers across those games before Sunday’s noon kickoff at AT&T Stadium.
Schottenheimer said it will be hard for Winters to make it back Sunday and that Turpin is probably another week away, while Luke Schoonmaker still has to test his groin.
Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving turn the tables on the Houston Rockets, each pouring in 33 and 35 points as the Dallas Mavericks snap a 4‑2 start with a 116‑111 victory in the NBA Cup Group A at American Airlines Center on Oct. 30. After a 5‑1 Rockets run and a 128‑110 loss a week earlier, Dallas claws back, shooting 61.9% in the first quarter and forcing 11 turnovers in the half. Despite a disastrous 31‑17 second‑quarter run by Houston, the Mavs rally in the second half, securing their first win of the season.
The Dallas Mavericks snap the Houston Rockets’ unbeaten start with a 116-111 win on Oct. 21, 2026. Kyrie Irving leads Dallas with 33 points on 12‑of‑19 shooting, while rookie Cooper Flagg adds 32 points, going 13‑of‑19. Kevin Durant tops the Rockets with 26 points but misses four free throws, and Clint Capela commits two goaltending violations that prove costly. Jabari Smith Jr. contributes 22 points, yet the Rockets struggle without Alper Şengün, whose status remains uncertain. Despite 20 offensive rebounds, Houston falls short as the Mavericks’ dynamic duo secures the victory, setting up a tough showdown with the Thunder next night.
Kevin Durant electrified the Rockets' NBA Cup showdown with the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 31, 2026, delivering a dunk that resembled a contest entry as he drove past PJ Washington and slammed over Mavs center Daniel Gafford. Durant finished with 28 points, five rebounds and one assist, but Houston fell 116‑111, marking their first loss (5‑1) and handing the unbeaten Memphis Grizzlies the sole perfect record. Dallas leaned on Kyrie Irving and rookie Cooper Flagg, who combined for 68 points, while Gafford added 18. The Rockets now turn to a back‑to‑back matchup against a shorthanded Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Texas Rangers have bought out all three of their mutual options, turning catcher Kyle Higashioka and reliever Jakob Junis into free agents. Higashioka receives a $1 million buyout instead of a $7 million salary after posting a .233/.296/.391 line with 18 homers in 513 PA, but missed the season's end with a forearm strain. Junis gets a $1.25 million buyout on a $5 million option after a 3.64 ERA over 54 1/3 innings, leading Texas with 18 holds and six saves before injury woes hurt his second half. Both players are likely to sign one‑year deals as Texas trims payroll.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says he won’t chase the trade frenzy as the NFL deadline looms. Speaking on 105.3 The Fan, Jones insists Dallas has already bolstered its roster with players like cornerback Joey Porter Jr., DT Quinnen Williams and pass rusher Rashan Gary, and he’ll only consider a deal if it’s truly “outstanding.” With the Cowboys sitting 3‑4, struggling defensively and holding just four 2027 picks, rivals such as Seattle, San Francisco and Chicago are splashing first‑round capital. The November 10 deadline approaches, but Jones signals no major move unless a special opportunity arises.
The Texas Rangers add right‑hander Aidan Curry to their 40‑man roster, preventing his minor‑league free agency. Curry, a 6‑ft‑5, 205‑lb former New York high‑school starter, signed as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and has spent seven seasons in the minors. He posted a 4.93 ERA over 104 innings this year, striking out 29% of batters while walking 12.4%, prompting speculation he may shift to the bullpen. Ranked as high as the organization's 25th prospect earlier, Curry’s addition brings the Rangers to 37 players on the 40‑man list amid roster uncertainty.
Kyrie Irving and rookie Cooper Flagg electrify the Dallas Mavericks with a thunderous transition dunk in their NBA Cup debut against the Houston Rockets on Oct. 31, 2026. The duo combines for 68 points, lifting Dallas to a 4-2 season start and snapping Houston’s 5‑1 run. Irving scores 35 (12‑of‑19 FG, 5‑of‑8 3‑pts, 6‑of‑6 FT) with nine assists, while Flagg adds 33 and nine rebounds. Dallas rallies from an 84‑76 deficit, dropping 40 fourth‑quarter points to secure the win and move into sixth place in the West. The Mavericks now host the Sacramento Kings on Nov. 2.
CeeDee Lamb fuels the Dallas Cowboys’ 38-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Oct. 31, 2026, hauling in two touchdown catches and posting five receptions for 74 yards. A post‑game photo shows Lamb celebrating in front of booing Eagles fans, sparking a viral Instagram share. The performance lifts Lamb’s season totals to 53 catches, 651 yards and six TDs through seven games, positioning him among the league’s top receivers. The Cowboys aim to build on the breakthrough as they head to a Sunday showdown against the Arizona Cardinals.
Mavericks coach Dusty May says the team’s biggest defensive upgrade since their 128‑point loss to the Rockets on Oct. 21 is communication. He praised players for spotting the lack of chatter during transition, a flaw that left them outnumbered on eight to ten key possessions. Since then Dallas has held opponents to 105–122 points and gone 3‑1, highlighted by a 96‑point game vs OKC and a 113‑109 win over Miami where they logged ten blocks. The Rockets, fresh off a 132‑100 win over Milwaukee, return for a rematch at 7 p.m. CT at American Airlines Center, promising a tougher test in transition.
Mavericks coach Dusty May remains hopeful as Dallas prepares for its NBA Cup group‑play debut against the unbeaten Houston Rockets (5‑0) on Oct. 30, 7 p.m. CT. May praised Houston’s “off‑the‑charts” toughness, citing the length of Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson and Kevin Durant, plus the playmaking of Fred VanVleet and defensive grit of Marcus Smart. In the season‑opening 128‑110 loss, Durant and Smith each dropped 30 points while Houston’s relentless switching defense forced Dallas into a 4‑of‑19 shooting slump. Dallas, now 3‑2, answered with a 120‑96 win over OKC and will look to erase the opening‑night sting in the rematch.
Former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, whose ESPN contract ends after this season, says he regrets putting owner Jerry Jones in an awkward spot by discussing a possible return to Dallas. Aikman told Cowboys Roundtable and 96.7 The Ticket that his questions forced Jones into a “corner” he didn’t deserve, though Jones praised Aikman's work ethic and left the door open for a future role. Meanwhile, Aikman will continue broadcasting with Joe Buck, covering next week’s Bears‑Seahawks game and the Super Bowl, as the Cowboys sit 3‑4 and seek new direction.
Mavericks coach Dusty May says rookie forward Morel "Rez" Johnson Jr. is progressing well despite a minutes restriction imposed after shin‑splint concerns. Drafted ninth overall from Michigan, Johnson has logged limited practice time but contributed solidly in early games: 6 points in 13:50 against Houston, 8 points with 6 rebounds in a 121‑105 win at Indiana, 6 points in a 113‑109 victory over Miami, and 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists in a 120‑96 win versus Oklahoma City. Teammate P.J. Washington praises his defensive versatility and work ethic, noting an inevitable up‑and‑down rookie season. Dallas remains shorthanded with Dereck Lively II and Santi Aldama sidelined as they prepare for a matchup against the Kings.
Mavericks coach Dusty May says forward Tarik Biberović is "very close" to returning from right heel bursitis, though not as near as fellow prospect Santi Aldama. Biberović, listed as doubtful for the 7 p.m. tip‑off against the Houston Rockets on Oct. 30, last appeared on Oct. 11 in a preseason win over Houston in Macao. Acquired in a July 8, six‑team trade and signed to a two‑year, $6 million deal, the 25‑year‑old logged 11.3 points and 41.9% 3‑point shooting in the EuroLeague last season. Meanwhile, Caleb Martin back from a thumb sprain contributed 10 points in a 120‑96 win over OKC, and Dallas faces a 5‑0 Rockets squad missing Alperen Şengün and Marcus Smart.
After a 1-7 start to the 2026 season, Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay‑Gordon fires GM Chris Ballard and launches a fire‑sale rebuild. Interim GM Ed Dodds trades star guard Quenton Nelson to Seattle and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to San Francisco, while the team still grapples with a 2025 blockbuster deal that sent two first‑round picks and receiver Adonai Mitchell to the Jets for Sauce Gardner. Fans on X lambaste Irsay‑Gordon’s hands‑on sidelines presence, calling it “annoying” and “girl‑boss” micromanagement. Amid the turmoil, star RB Jonathan Taylor (587 yards, 8 TDs) says he’s not seeking a trade, though WR Josh Downs has requested one. The Colts now face the Jaguars and Cowboys while searching for a permanent GM and evaluating coach Shane Steichen’s future.
The Houston Rockets announce Alperen Şengün will sit out Friday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks due to low‑back soreness, marking his second consecutive missed start after a minor strain kept him out against Milwaukee. Meanwhile, Marcus Smart clears a left forearm strain and is listed as available after missing three games since Oct. 24. The Rockets, now 5‑0, rely on players like Fred VanVleet (24 points) and Amen Thompson (23) as they host the Mavericks at 7 p.m. CT, while Dallas deals with injuries to Naji Marshall’s return and several others.
Dallas Mavericks rookie guard Sergio De Larrea (nicknamed “Larry”) will be reevaluated next week after spraining his right knee on Oct. 26 during a 113‑109 win at Miami. The injury kept him out of the 120‑96 victory over Oklahoma City and the upcoming Oct. 30 game against Houston. Coach Dusty May said De Larrea will undergo imaging and expects a clearer picture soon, while also noting Santi Aldama and Tarik Biberović are close to returning. The 20‑year‑old, the 25th overall pick in the 2026 draft, scored 21 points in his Oct. 24 debut against the Spurs. Houston also loses Alperen Şengün to low‑back soreness.
Mavericks coach Dusty May says forward Santi Aldama is "very close" to debuting after participating in the team's stay‑ready "Hunt Club" game on Friday. Aldama, who underwent right‑knee arthroscopy on March 17 and hasn’t played since Feb. 4, has been practicing with the G‑League Texas Legends as part of his return‑to‑play protocol. May also mentioned Tarik Biberović and Larry Nance Jr. are on similar timelines. Aldama arrived in Dallas via a six‑team trade on July 8, coming off a career‑best 14.0 points per game with Memphis.