The Houston Rockets closed their China trip with a 115-132 preseason loss to the Dallas Mavericks on October 11, 2026. The result splits the two-game international series after the Rockets' 135-117 win on October 9. Head coach Ime Udoka opted to rest Kevin Durant, Steven Adams, Fred VanVleet, and Alperen Sengun, which drastically changed the team's offensive firepower for the finale.
Dallas, meanwhile, welcomed back star guard Kyrie Irving for his first game action in 586 days. He immediately made an impact, scoring 17 points in just 22 minutes. His return energized the Mavericks and a sold-out crowd at Venetian Arena in Macao.
With several starters sitting, others had a chance to step up. Marcus Smart, inserted into the starting lineup, looked sharp. He put up 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, connecting on 4 of his 9 three-point attempts. Clint Capela started at center but was quieter, finishing with 5 points and 9 rebounds in 24 minutes.
The young core showed flashes. Jabari Smith Jr. continued an aggressive preseason, posting 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. Rookie Reed Sheppard scored 17 points, hitting four three-pointers, but also committed 5 turnovers. Amen Thompson contributed 14 points, 7 boards, and 6 assists in a well-rounded effort.
Deep reserves also saw extended run. Oscar Tshiebwe scored 12 points with 4 rebounds, and Bruce Thornton added 9 points in 18 minutes. The Rockets battled from behind for most of the night, struggling to contain Dallas's rhythm with Irving back on the floor.
Irving's comeback was the story of the night. After tearing the ACL in his left knee on March 3, 2025, and dealing with a subsequent calf strain, his return was highly anticipated. Mavericks coach Dusty May called the first play for him, and Irving drove past Jabari Smith Jr. for a reverse layup to open his account.
"A lot of emotions leading into it," Irving said afterward. "Grateful that Dusty called the first play for me. Had my mind made up just to attack." He looked in good form, and his performance impressed even the opposition. "He's back to being who he is," said Rockets coach Ime Udoka. "He'll only get better as he gets his rhythm back in real NBA games."
For Dallas, Zaccharie Risacher added 16 points and Cooper Flagg had 14. Their balanced attack proved too much for Houston's depleted lineup.
The team now returns from China with only three preseason games remaining on their schedule. Their next test is at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, October 15. Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM local time, and the game will be broadcast on NBA TV.
These final tune-ups will be important for integrating their star players back into the rotation and solidifying roles before the regular season begins. Fans can track the team's preparation and remaining preseason matchups on our schedule page. The split in China provided valuable minutes for the roster's depth, but the focus now shifts to building cohesion with the full squad available.
