Warriors rookie No. 11 pick Yaxel Lendeborg ignites a post‑game feud with Luka Doncic after their opening‑night clash against the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite the Warriors’ 127‑105 loss, Lendeborg scores 12 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists in 29 minutes, guards Doncic 0‑for‑5 and even draws a technical for trash‑talk. The 24‑year‑old freshman says he lost all respect for Doncic’s “whining and complaining,” while Doncic fires back with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, including a half‑court buzzer‑beater. Lendeborg’s unconventional path—from junior college to a national title with Michigan and a Summer League MVP—sets the stage for a rookie unafraid to trade barbs with a six‑time All‑Star.
Rockets The Rockets want to spend less time working against the shot clock and more time attacking before the defense gets organized. Their opener offered a good example of why. Houston scored 29 fast-break points in Wednesday’s 128-110 win over the Mavericks, a total it reached only twice last season, according to William Guillory of […]
The post NBA Notes: Rockets, Kevin Durant, Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nets appeared first on Hoops Wire .
The Los Angeles Lakers got a win in their 2026-27 NBA season opener, defeating the Golden State Warriors, 127-105. But one of the main storylines to come out of the game was Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg talking trash to Lakers star Luka Doncic. Luka Doncic obviously got the better of Yaxel Lendeborg during the Lakers’ […]
The post Luka Doncic’s ex-Mavericks teammate warns Yaxel Lendeborg about his comments — ‘80 ball next time’ appeared first on ClutchPoints .
Dusty May decided to shake up the Dallas Mavericks' starting lineup by starting Max Christie over Zaccharie Risacher. While Dallas didn't play well on opening night, this decision was the right call due to Christie's potential as a shooter and fit.
Dusty May saw enough in the Mavericks’ opener to identify both the problems and a few possible solutions. The challenge is making those corrections before Friday’s visit to the Pacers. Dallas lost 128-110 to the Rockets on Wednesday, with a 38-12 second quarter creating a deficit that overwhelmed an otherwise productive night from Cooper Flagg. […]
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In the Mavericks’ 128-110 season‑opener loss to the Rockets, bench guard Marcus Sasser impressed with 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting (4-of-5 from three) in under 24 minutes. Acquired in July’s six‑team deal, Sasser’s efficient burst—including multiple threes and a late run—ignited speculation that Dallas finally has a reliable backup guard. With Kyrie Irving set for rest games and the Mavs guard‑light, his performance could cement a vital sixth‑man role alongside fellow bench scorer Naji Marshall.
Mavericks Kyrie Irving waited nearly 600 days to play another regular-season game. The Rockets welcomed him back with double teams. Irving finished with 15 points, four rebounds and two assists in the Mavericks’ 128-110 opening loss Wednesday, shooting 6-of-9 from the field. He also committed four turnovers as Houston pressured him and challenged his teammates […]
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Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg shot 13 free throws against the Houston Rockets on opening night, and his increased volume will help him become a superstar. His body control and strength have both improved.
In a 128-110 win over the Dallas Mavericks, Fred VanVleet and the 2026-27 Houston Rockets got off to a strong start, giving fans their first look at their pairing with All-Star Kevin Durant. It had been 535 days since VanVleet last played for the Rockets. Jabari Smith Jr. and Durant led with 30 points, and Fred added […]
The post Rockets overreactions: Fred VanVleet’s return makes Houston actual NBA title contenders appeared first on ClutchPoints .
Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg didn't do himself or his team any favors by dissing Luka Doncic following Wednesday's game.
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant made NBA history in Wednesday night’s 128-110 season-opening win over the Dallas Mavericks at Toyota Center. Durant, now in his 20th season, finished with 30 points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. He shot 10-of-16 from the field, 2-of-4 from three-point range and 8-of-11 from the free-throw […]
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The Mavericks stumble to a 128-110 loss against Kevin Durant's Houston Rockets in their season opener, but rookie Cooper Flagg shines with a game‑high 32 points, 11 free‑throws made and solid defense. Kyrie Irving, returning after a 600‑day ACL layoff, adds 15 points but is limited to nine shots by Houston's defense. Coach Dusty May praises Flagg's second‑half surge and improved pace, while noting the need to generate more off‑ball movement and reduce turnovers. May also highlights Irving’s leadership despite limited opportunities and stresses fixing free‑throw and possession issues before the road games against Indiana and San Antonio.
Kyrie Irving returns from a torn ACL as the Dallas Mavericks tumble 128-110 to the Houston Rockets in their season opener. Irving slams the team’s defensive effort, especially a disastrous second quarter where Dallas scored just 12 points while allowing 38, but stops short of using harsher language. He posts 15 points on 6‑of‑9 shooting and stresses accountability and chemistry as the Mavs look to rebound before facing the Indiana Pacers. The loss highlights early challenges for a squad aiming to improve on a 26‑56 record last year.
Kevin Durant says Fred VanVleet’s return transforms the Rockets’ offense. In the season‑opening 128‑110 win over Dallas, VanVleet logged six points and 11 assists with no turnovers, instantly improving backcourt spacing and allowing players like Alperen Sengün and Jabari Smith Jr. to thrive. Durant highlighted that having natural point guards such as VanVleet and Marcus Smart lets Twin Thompson and Josh Okogie play their natural roles, boosting efficiency across the roster. The Rockets aim to build on this momentum when they travel to San Antonio Friday.
Michael Wilbon questioned Luka Doncic's ability to deliver a championship unless he starts showing consistent defensive effort.
The Dallas Mavericks' 128-110 loss to the Houston Rockets exposed their need for playmaking, as they didn't add enough backcourt depth in the offseason.
In the Mavericks' season‑opener, Houston ripped a 38‑12 second quarter, turning a 70‑38 halftime lead into a 128‑110 win. Dallas scored on just 6 of 30 possessions, went 0‑14 from three, and committed eight turnovers that yielded 11 Rockets points. Coach Dusty May blamed lost composure and a lapse in transition defense—an area the team emphasized in camp. Key contributors included Morez Johnson Jr. (two makes) and a handful of free‑throw points, while Houston’s fast‑breaks and efficient shooting (13‑19 field goals, 9‑13 at the line) sealed the game. The article dissects the breakdown and lessons Dallas hopes to apply moving forward.
New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson believes his breakout playoff performances with the Dallas Mavericks helped the basketball world recognize the player he had always believed himself to be. Brunson explained that his emergence during Dallas’ 2022 postseason run was less about discovering new abilities and more about receiving the opportunity to demonstrate what he […]
The post Jalen Brunson reflects on Dallas playoff breakthrough before Knicks move appeared first on TalkBasket.net .
Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green questioned whether Luka Dončić, a perennial MVP candidate, will ever get over the hump and earn the award.
The Dallas Mavericks sign former Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. to a two‑way deal after his turbulent rookie year with Utah and Memphis. Clayton, the 2025 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player who led the Gators to the title with clutch performances against UConn, Texas Tech and Houston, was taken 18th overall by the Jazz. In Memphis he posted nearly six assists per game and shot 50% from three in April, but struggled overall, hitting just 31% from deep and 47% on two‑pointers across 24 games. At 6‑2, 60% rim‑scoring in college and 40% spot‑up three‑point shooting, his fearlessness and improved playmaking could make him a versatile spark plug for Dallas.
Here are three NBA stars the Warriors could target in a Kristaps Porzingis trade, including two centers who could finally fix their biggest weakness.
Fans notice chemistry during Luka Doncic's interview.
Cooper Flagg set an NBA record for most points by a teenager in a season opener, scoring 32 in Dallas' 128-110 loss to the Houston Rockets on Oct. 22, 2026. The 19‑year‑old shot 10‑of‑17 from the field, hit a decisive step‑back jumper with 4:33 left, and added 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and a block. Flagg broke Lamar Odom's 1999 mark of 30 points and continues a standout rookie year after earning 2025 Rookie of the Year and a 51‑point game last season. Coach Dusty May highlighted Flagg's aggressiveness and free‑throw reliability as key to the Mavericks' offensive shift.
Marcus Sasser nets 17 points off the bench in the Dallas Mavericks’ 128-110 season‑opening loss to the Houston Rockets on Oct. 22, 2026. The former University of Houston star, a 2023 first‑round pick who spent three seasons with Detroit, shoots 6‑of‑8 overall and 4‑of‑5 from three, adding a rebound, assist and steal in just under 24 minutes. After missing the first three preseason games with adductor tightness, Sasser says playing in front of familiar Houston fans is “always fun.” He highlights a more aggressive second‑half approach, scoring 14 points after halftime and citing confidence from teammates like Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks acquired Sasser in a July 8, six‑team trade that also brought Santi Aldama and the rights to Tarik Biberović.
Yaxel Lendeborg got his “Welcome to the NBA” moment as familiar turnovers, defensive lapses and scoring struggles hurt the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday.