Latest blog entries from Houston teams across every league
Fred VanVleet scored 24 points and Amen Thompson added 23 as the Houston Rockets remained undefeated with a 132-100 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night at Fiserv Forum. The post Fred VanVleet scores 24 as Rockets crush Bucks to go 5-0 appeared first on TalkBasket.net .
Ja Morant returns to Memphis as the Trail Blazers, 3‑0 this season, visit the Grizzlies on Thursday. Morant says he holds no grudges and aims for a championship, while coach Tuomas Iisalo stresses their past good relationship. Meanwhile, New Orleans’ Herbert Jones sees a career‑low 17 minutes per game but remains untouchable in trade talks, Houston’s Alperen Sengun deals with a back issue that could sideline him, and Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg bursts out with 25 points, 6.3 assists and 3.7 steals per game, eyeing a spot on the 2028 Team USA roster.
The Houston Rockets remain perfect to start the 2026-27 NBA season behind their incredible depth as they blow out the Milwaukee Bucks 132-100.
The Houston Rockets dominate the Milwaukee Bucks 132-100 on Oct. 28, 2026, at the Fiserv Forum. Fred VanVleet leads Houston with 24 points, while Amen Thompson adds 23 in the third quarter to push the lead to 95-69. Milwaukee’s Tyler Herro tops the Bucks with 23 points, but the team struggles offensively, shooting just 4‑of‑21 in the second quarter and never closing the gap. Despite a brief fourth‑quarter surge, the Bucks fall to 1‑4 on the season under coach Jenkins. The blowout highlights Houston’s balanced attack and defensive pressure against a struggling Bucks squad.
Fred VanVleet ignites the Houston Rockets with a scorching 15‑point burst in the third quarter, propelling the team to a 132‑100 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Oct. 29, 2026. The 32‑year‑old guard finishes with 24 points on 7‑of‑14 shooting, adds six rebounds, five assists and two steals, and helps the Rockets stay unbeaten at 5‑0. VanVleet’s run includes a crossover on Jaime Jaquez Jr. followed by a pull‑up three, signaling his return to form after an ACL layoff. Houston heads to Dallas next to face the Mavericks.
This is a tough blow to a team that's already hurting.
The Houston Texans put second‑year wideout Jaylin Noel on injured reserve after a turf‑toe injury in the Week 7 loss to the Giants, ending his season and likely surgery. Noel finished the first seven games with a team‑high 331 yards, 19 catches and two touchdowns, averaging 17.4 yards per reception. To fill the roster spot, Houston claimed former Cowboys running back Emari Demercado off waivers. Demercado, a 2023 undrafted TCU alum, has logged five carries for 15 yards this season after stints with the Cardinals and a brief Chiefs contract. The move comes as the Texans, now 2‑5, also cope with receiver Jayden Higgins on IR, while relying on Nico Collins, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Tank Dell for the passing game.
The Colts are deep in a fire‑sale, having moved DT DeForest Buckner and G Quenton Nelson, and league sources suggest RB Jonathan Taylor could fetch a second‑round pick plus add‑ons if dealt. Meanwhile, Jalen Farmer will start at left guard. In Jacksonville, HC Liam Coen praises LT Anton Harrison’s play and credits OT Walker Little for stepping up admirably against Houston, promising continued O‑line depth. The Houston Texans sit 2‑5 after a Week 7 loss to the Giants; GM Nick Caserio says the team will “take inventory” after the Week 8 bye, weighing injuries and possible personnel moves before making any knee‑jerk decisions.
The Dallas Mavericks have exercised the $17.4 million fourth‑year option on 21‑year‑old forward Zaccharie Risacher, confirming his stay for the 2027 season. Acquired in the three‑team deal that sent Luguentz Dort to Atlanta, Risacher has posted 8.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 30 minutes over four games, though his shooting is uneven (17.6% from three, 30.8% overall). He set a franchise debut record with five steals against the Rockets. Mavericks president Masai Ujiri, GM Mike Schmitz and coach Dusty May praise his defensive impact and hustle as he finds his role alongside stars Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving.
Giants general manager Joe Schoen hails the quarterback room after J.J. McCarthy’s solid 20‑of‑28, 252‑yard effort in a 27‑21 win over the Houston Texans, noting the young QB’s "high level" play. With rookie Jaxson Dart ruled out for the season following a Rams‑game injury, New York will rely on McCarthy and veteran Jameis Winston—who just secured a two‑year, $13 million extension—through the remainder of 2026. Schoen calls the QB group one of the league’s strongest and hopes both can stay healthy as the Giants chase a playoff push.
The Houston Rockets aim for a 5‑0 start as they travel to Milwaukee to face the Bucks on Oct. 28, 2026, at 7 PM CST. The Rockets line up Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant and Tari Eason, while Milwaukee starts Ryan Rollins, Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kyle Kuzma and Myles Turner. The game will be broadcast on Space City Home Network and streamed on the SB Nation app, where fans can join the live chat. Will Houston keep its unbeaten streak?
Former Washington Wizards coach Brian Keefe isn’t surprised that James Harden still performs at an All‑Star level in his 18th season. Keefe, who worked with Harden from Oklahoma City through Houston and Brooklyn, credits the guard’s daily work ethic, early‑night shooting routines, and high basketball IQ for his longevity. The Cavaliers, who recently signed Harden to a three‑year, $97 million guarantee, hope his dedication will keep him effective alongside Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley for at least three more seasons. Keefe emphasizes that Harden’s consistent elite play is no accident—it’s the result of relentless preparation since day one.
The Houston Astros have interviewed former scout Oz Ocampo for their assistant general manager vacancy, a role he pursued on Monday. Ocampo, who helped land Houston’s international talents like Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier and Yuli Gurriel during stints from 2012‑2020 and 2022, previously held assistant GM duties with the Marlins and a special‑assistant post with the Pirates. With GM Dana Brown dismissed in August and his duties now split among assistants Charles Cook, Gavin Dickey and Connor Huff, the club is weighing Ocampo’s return amid a broader search for a new front‑office leader.
The Houston Texans place rookie wideout Jaylin Noel (24) on season‑ending IR due to a lingering turf toe, ending his 2026 campaign after 7 games with 19 catches for 331 yards and two TDs. To fill the roster spot, they claim running back Emari Demercado (27) off waivers from Dallas; Demercado, an undrafted TCU product, spent 2026 with the Cowboys, logging five rushes for 15 yards. Noel’s four‑year, $6.47 M rookie deal and Demercado’s recent one‑year Chiefs contract are noted.
Cam Ward’s self‑praise is at odds with the Titans’ reality. After a 26‑0 loss to Houston in Week 4, Ward claimed he was “very good,” and this week he added his footwork is “very good.” Yet head coach Robert Saleh points out persistent footwork flaws, and Ward’s stats back the concern: he ranks 30th in passer rating (73.8) and 23rd in completion percentage (62.0) while posting a league‑worst 5.0 yards per attempt. The growing disconnect between Ward’s confidence and on‑field performance raises doubts about his viability as a long‑term starter for Tennessee.
Two losses to the Houston Rockets answered two important questions for the Atlanta Hawks.
The Boston Red Sox hire Astros field coordinator and outfield coach Jason Bell as their new outfield instructor, according to MLB Trade Rumors. Bell, 36, joins after seven years with Houston, where he rose from development coach to a major‑league staff role. His move comes amid a broader coaching overhaul for both clubs: the Astros are reshaping their staff for 2027, while Boston continues to retool after firing manager Alex Cora and several coaches, promoting interim manager Chad Tracy to a permanent three‑year deal. Bell may also take on additional duties beyond outfield work.
The Raptors open October without Kawhi Leonard, who faces weeks on the bench after a swollen left knee MRI shows no structural damage, leaving Toronto to test the depth of players like Ja’Kobe Walter, Collin Murray‑Boyles, Allen Graves, Kyle Anderson, Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett. Meanwhile, the Mavericks must decide by Monday whether to pick up Zaccharie Risacher’s $17.4 million 2027‑28 option despite his 30.8% shooting, as his defense—eight steals and eight blocks in four games—offers promise. In Houston, Alperen Sengün suffers a mild back strain that could sideline him for a few games, prompting the Rockets to adjust their scoring and playmaking until he returns.
The Mavericks face a deadline to decide on exercising Zaccharie Rischer’s $17.4 million rookie option, with the former No. 1 pick battling a 30.8% field‑goal rate but leading the league in “stocks” (steals + blocks) at 16 in four games. Coach Dusty May praises his defensive impact despite missed shots. Meanwhile, Rockets center Alperen Şengün deals with a mild back strain that could sideline him for several games, while former NBA big man Omer Yurtseven joins the Rio Grande Valley Vipers’ training camp. In Memphis, Ty Jerome rebounds from a calf injury, posting 29.8 points and 6.3 assists in a 4‑0 start and earning Player of the Week honors.
Week 8 fantasy advice from Gridiron Experts warns that the recent roller‑coaster of high scores is over and urges managers to chase upside. With Houston, New Orleans, Giants and 49ers on bye, the focus is on quarterbacks and flex spots. Jacoby Brissett (Texans vs. Cowboys) is a top‑12 superflex pick against a soft Dallas secondary, while Geno Smith (Jets vs. Raiders) is a solid streamer despite a strong Raiders pass rush. Miami’s Ollie Gordon II sees heavy red‑zone carries, offering a safe RB2 floor. Blake Corum (Rams) and Rachaad White (Washington) provide flex upside in favorable run‑heavy matchups. Expect the unexpected through Halloween week.
JJ McCarthy sparks a 27-21 overtime win in his first start for the New York Giants, completing 20 of 28 passes for 252 yards and a 99.1 passer rating. The rookie connected on big plays to Malik Nabers (42 yards) and Malachi Fields (47 yards), helping New York beat the Houston Texans and move to a 4-2-1 record before a bye week. Former NFL star Robert Griffin III praised the performance on X, saying he’s "so happy for JJ". McCarthy, acquired from the Vikings after Jaxson Dart’s injury, becomes the Giants’ third starter of the season, giving the offense a promising new spark.
Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka says center Alperen Sengün will miss several games with a back injury. Sengün felt discomfort during the Rockets' recent win over the Atlanta Hawks but stayed in the game and contributed to the victory. The Turkish star’s condition remains uncertain, and Udoka expects him to sit out until the soreness eases.
Former NBA star Tracy McGrady says his greatest career disappointment was missing a chance to play Kobe Bryant in the 2009 playoffs. At the time McGrady was with the Houston Rockets, but a knee injury that led to microfracture surgery forced him out of the postseason, ending his season prematurely. He reflects on the missed matchup as a lingering regret, highlighting how the injury altered his playoff aspirations.
The Dallas Mavericks announce that stretch big Santi Aldama, acquired in a July six‑team deal, moves from the Texas Legends back to the active roster as part of his return‑to‑play protocol. Initially listed as "out," Aldama is now "doubtful" for the Wednesday game against the Oklahoma City Thunder and could debut on Friday versus the Houston Rockets or Monday versus the Sacramento Kings. Averaging 15 points per game last season, his floor‑running, lane‑filling skill set could bolster a Mavericks squad that already posted wins over Indiana, a healed Tyrese Haliburton, and a revamped Miami Heat.
The Bucks host the unbeaten Rockets as Kevin Durant looks to lead Houston to its fifth consecutive victory.