The Houston Rockets delivered a commanding performance, securing a 110-99 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at the Toyota Center on Wednesday night. The Rockets showcased their resilience after enduring two recent losses, propelled by standout performances from Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and Cam Whitmore.
Sengun led the Rockets with 23 points, delivering efficient scoring with dynamic versatility. His performance has marked him as one of the team’s pivotal players and he has developed gradually as the centerpiece of Houston’s offensive strategies. Alongside Sengun, Green contributed 22 points, showing his offensive prowess. Brooks and Whitmore also made significant contributions with 19 and 18 points, respectively.
The Mavericks, who entered the game missing their star player Luka Dončić—currently sidelined due to a calf strain—struggled to find any rhythm as they sought to recover from their recent slump. They now hold 20 wins and 14 losses, with three consecutive defeats marking their last outings. Quentin Grimes led Dallas with 17 points off the bench, supported by contributions from Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson, who each scored 16 points.
The first half began with the Mavericks asserting control early, establishing an initial 16-6 lead. Klay Thompson quickly made his mark, scoring eight points right out of the gate. But the momentum shifted as the Rockets responded with offensive explosiveness. They erased a four-point deficit mid-way through the second quarter with a remarkable 21-8 run, finishing the half strong with a 61-52 advantage.
After halftime, the Rockets built upon their lead, starting the third quarter with another surge—an 11-4 run—that pushed their lead to 72-56 within just three minutes. Despite brief attempts by the Mavericks, they could not close the gap significantly. There was too much ground to cover as the Rockets held onto the lead, stretching it by as much as 17 points and maintaining double-digit advantages throughout the second half.
Alperen Sengun spoke after the game about the Rockets’ focus: "We wanted to come out strong and make a statement. It was about energy, effort, and playing as a team." His leadership on the floor was evident throughout the match and set the tone for the Rockets’ approach.
On the Mavericks side, the post-game sentiment was one of frustration. Quentin Grimes reflected on the team’s shifts during play, stating, "We kind of just stopped playing the basketball we played in the first quarter. We got away from playing easy basketball." This encapsulated the team’s challenges as they grappled with turnovers and inconsistencies without their key players on the floor.
Dallas aimed to recover their form as they prepared to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, but the absence of Doncic, who previously played at an elite level, continues to impede their efforts. The Mavericks find themselves questioning how to adapt without their linchpin, struggling with execution on both offense and defense.
Despite the injuries, the Rockets have refocused their energies and aim to leverage this victory to regain momentum. They are now 22-11 and look to build on their success as they prepare to host the Boston Celtics. The Rockets’ victory signifies not only their rebound from prior setbacks but also highlights their depth as they navigate through challenges.
The matchup on Wednesday night was emblematic of the tough terrain both teams are facing this season—one team leading the charge with resilience and the other grappling with injuries but hoping to rediscover their winning form.