Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason will probably remember their season opener on Wednesday for the rest of his life—for the wrong reason. The Rockets hosted the Dallas Mavericks at Toyota Center, welcoming the much-awaited return of Fred VanVleet after a long absence due to an ACL injury. Eason, however, stole the spotlight—sort of—quite early. In […]
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Tari Eason gets tossed from the first game of the Rockets' season for shoving P.J. Washington.
The Dallas Mavericks ushered in the Dustin May era for the first time on Wednesday. But Cooper Flagg meshing with the ex-Michigan coach wasn’t the only thing on the mind of fans. Kyrie Irving made his return from a torn ACL against the Houston Rockets. Fans got treated to vintage “Uncle Drew” in Irving’s 2026-27 […]
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No more internet lobs for now from Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant this time. The Rockets forward is back to business on the court with the 2026-27 NBA season finally here, and he already has a poster dunk. He took off and threw down an emphatic dunk right in front of Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper […]
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Fred VanVleet made his much-awaited return from his ACL injury on Wednesday, as the Houston Rockets hosted the Dallas Mavericks at Toyota Center. VanVleet reclaimed his spot in the starting unit, joining Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun. It did not take long for the veteran guard to sink his first […]
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Victor Wembanyama went 1-for-13 while shooting from the field in the Spurs’ season-opening loss against OKC. In fact, he didn’t score a bucket until the last few seconds of the third quarter. He’s also the same player who may be the MVP favorite, so where is he going wrong? In a recent episode of Run […]
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Klay Thompson, a cornerstone of the Golden State Warriors' four‑title dynasty (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022), will not suit up for the Warriors in 2026‑27. After leaving the Bay Area in free agency in summer 2024, he briefly joined the Dallas Mavericks before a buyout led him to sign a two‑year, $11.5 million deal with the Miami Heat in August. The contract pays roughly $5.6 million for the 2026‑27 season, includes a player option for year two and a 15% trade kicker. Thompson now provides Erik Spoelstra with a veteran sharpshooter alongside new teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo, while staying budget‑friendly for Miami.
Dallas Mavericks sign former Florida star Walter Clayton Jr. to a two‑way contract, activating him for the season opener against the Houston Rockets. Coach Dusty May, who coached Clayton at FAU and whose son roomed with him at Florida, says he knows the 2025 national champion well. Clayton, the 2025 Final Four Most Outstanding Player, was waived by Memphis and cleared by Dallas after John Poulakidas was released. He will wear No. 1, can appear in up to 50 regular‑season games, and may be assigned to the G League Texas Legends. In his rookie year with Utah and Memphis, he averaged 7.8 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists.
Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty May, making his NBA debut on Oct. 21, outlines a game plan to pressure Kevin Durant in the Mavericks' season opener at the Toyota Center. May wants Durant to take tougher shots, work harder on defense, and avoid easy baskets, while stressing the importance of executing against Houston’s frequent switching defenses. The article notes Durant’s career‑scoring rank, his 26.0‑point average last season, and recent exhibition results in Macao where both teams fielded different lineups. The Mavericks and Rockets will meet three more times this season (Oct. 30, Jan. 1, Jan. 31).
The Houston Rockets open the 2026‑27 NBA season at home against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, at 8:30 PM ET. The game airs locally on WFAA/KFAA/Space City Home Network and streams live on Fubo (free trial available). Rockets return point guard Fred VanVleet and add veterans Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanović, while guarding Kevin Durant and young star Alperen Şengün. Dallas counts on a healthy Kyrie Irving, Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg (25.2 pts, 7.2 reb, 5.3 ast), plus new pieces Santi Aldama, Max Christie, and recent draft picks. Both teams aim to improve after last season’s disappointments, making this a must‑watch matchup.
The Houston Rockets open the 2026‑27 NBA season against the Dallas Mavericks on October 21 at 7:30 PM CST in the Toyota Center. The game, broadcast on Space City Home Network and streamed via the SB Nation app, features Rockets starters Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant and Alperen Şengün, while the Mavericks line up Kyrie Irving, Zaccharie Risacher, Cooper Flag, P.J. Washington Jr. and Daniel Gafford. Fans can also follow the action on KBME Sports Talk 790 and KLTN 102.9 (español).
The Dallas Mavericks open the 2026-27 season at Houston's Toyota Center on Oct. 21, 7:30 pm CST, facing the Rockets in Game 1 of a quick two‑game series following preseason match‑ups in Macau. Key injuries: Mavericks forward Dereck Lively and center Santi Aldama are listed, with Aldama near return; rookie Tarik Biberović out (heel bursitis) and Caleb Martin sidelined (thumb sprain). Rockets’ Steven Adams is questionable with calf tightness. New two‑way guard Walter Clayton Jr. is active for Dallas. The preview highlights Dallas trying to climb out of the West’s bottom five, while Houston hopes to rebound from a disappointing post‑season.
Dallas Mavericks coach Dusty May stresses physicality and quickness to the ball ahead of the season‑opening clash with the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on Oct. 21. May, hired June 23 after winning the 2026 NCAA title with Michigan, points to the Rockets' toughness—highlighted in two recent exhibition games in Macao (Houston 135‑117 on Oct. 9, Dallas 132‑115 on Oct. 11) where Kyrie Irving returned with 17 points. He outlines defensive plans against Kevin Durant (26.0 ppg last season) and emphasizes limiting fouls on jump shooters while navigating Houston’s switching defense. The coach also praises Houston’s roster, noting Marcus Smart’s defense and the versatile big Alperen Şengün.
The Dallas Mavericks have signed guard Walter Clayton Jr. to a two-way contract, adding the 2025 first-round pick ahead of their 2026-27 NBA season opener against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the agreement. Clayton was selected 18th overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2025 NBA Draft before his draft […]
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The Dallas Mavericks had plenty of promising young players before signing Walter Clayton Jr., but his addition to this group gives the team the shooting and passing it needed.
The Dallas Mavericks sign 2025 first‑round pick Walter Clayton Jr. to a two‑way contract, making him eligible for up to 50 games this season. Clayton, a former Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies rookie who posted 7.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 69 games, was waived by Memphis after the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade. He ended his rookie year strong, hitting double figures in 11 of his last 18 games and shooting 47% from the floor in April. A former 2025 NCAA tournament Most Outstanding Player who averaged 18.3 points for Florida, Clayton will be active for the Mavericks’ season opener in Houston.
Walter Clayton officially signs a two‑way contract with the Dallas Mavericks, announced in a press release at 5:03 pm on October 21, 2026. The 23‑year‑old former Florida star and 2025 first‑round pick (18th overall) was waived by Memphis after a $4.19 M guaranteed salary and bounced through trade rumors linking him to Sacramento, Miami and Golden State. Dallas cleared a two‑way slot by cutting John Poulakidas, joining Jett Howard and Tobi Lawal. Clayton posted 7.8 points, 4.0 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 69 games last season, shooting .384/.307/.901, and could compete for backup minutes behind Kyrie Irving.
Austin Reaves says Luka Doncic will have no trouble earning the favor of Lakers fans.
Walter Clayton Jr. lands a two-way deal with the Dallas Mavericks after clearing waivers on Oct. 21, 2026. The 2025 first‑rounder, who split his rookie season between the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies, averaged 7.8 points, 4 assists and posted a career‑high 20 points on Apr. 5. Dallas opened the roster spot by cutting John Poulakidas and Dwight Powell, leaving three two‑way contracts (Clayton, Jett Howard, Tobi Lawal) alongside 15 standard contracts for the season opener against the Houston Rockets. The $678,882 two‑way salary makes Clayton eligible for up to 50 regular‑season games and G‑League action with the Texas Legends.
The Mavericks have agreed to a two-way contract with Walter Clayton Jr., according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, giving the former first-round pick a new opportunity after his release by the Grizzlies. Dallas had emerged as a leading contender for Clayton on Tuesday, with Marc Stein reporting that coach Dusty May recruited the guard in college. […]
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The Dallas Mavericks' backcourt needs some help due to their lack of shot creation and 3-point shooting, and signing Walter Clayton Jr. is an excellent start.
Luka Doncic, surprised by a trade to Los Angeles, says he’d like to finish his career with the Lakers and is already eyeing both a championship and an MVP. The team’s new center, Walker Kessler, lands a four‑year, $130 million contract after a shoulder injury‑limited rookie season, and his health and performance are deemed crucial to LA’s success. Bronny James battles a quad contusion that limited his preseason minutes, while recent arrivals—Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton (out with a calf strain) and others—have minimal playoff experience, raising questions about the Lakers’ championship odds. Coach J.J. Redick hints at a rotating starting lineup with Reaves and Kessler joining Doncic, while Jake LaRavia expects a bench role for the opener.
Walter Clayton Jr. will give the Dallas Mavericks more guard depth if they sign him, but they can't expect him to give them enough production to fix their problems in the backcourt on his own.
Luka Dončić says he hopes to retire with the Los Angeles Lakers after his 2025 trade from Dallas. The 27‑year‑old, who signed a three‑year, $165 million extension on Aug. 2, 2025, reflected on the shock of the Feb. 2, 2025 trade and his desire to finish his career in LA. He entered the 2025‑26 season as the NBA scoring champion (33.5 p.p.g.) and earned All‑NBA first‑team honors, finishing fourth in MVP voting. Dončić highlighted a 60‑point, 134‑126 win over Miami on March 19 and the Lakers’ 15‑2 March run as they open the 2026‑27 season against Golden State on Oct. 21.
The Dallas Mavericks listed rookie wing Jett Howard as questionable for their Oct. 22 season opener against the Houston Rockets due to right calf tightness. Howard, who missed the final two preseason games with illness, had modest contributions in Dallas' two preseason contests versus Houston. The Mavericks also have four confirmed absentees: Santi Aldama (right knee surgery), Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery), Tarik Biberović (heel bursitis) and Caleb Martin (thumb sprain). Houston faces its own questions with Steven Adams (calf) and Julian Phillips (illness). Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. CT.