NBA Cup: Mavericks End Rockets' Perfect Season

Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg scored a combined 68 points to lead the Dallas Mavericks past the Houston Rockets, 116-111, on Friday night. The result ended the Rockets' perfect start to the NBA Cup season. The loss also left Memphis, currently 5-0, as the only team in the league without a defeat.

Irving scored 26 of his 35 points in the second half. His 12-for-19 shooting performance included five made three-pointers. A jumper late in the game put Dallas ahead 102-100, creating a tense closing sequence. Flagg contributed 33 points on 13-for-19 shooting, including a three-point play near the end of the fourth quarter.

Houston struggled from the free-throw line, hitting only 24 of 33 attempts. Kevin Durant scored 28 points but missed two free throws with 1:53 remaining while the Rockets trailed by two. Later, with 42 seconds left, Amen Thompson missed a pair after receiving a direct pass from P.J. Washington that resulted in a turnover.

The Mavericks maintained their lead through deliberate fouls and free-throw conversion. Irving made all six of his free-throw attempts, extending his active NBA streak of made free throws to 54. This streak dates back to before his 19-month absence due to a torn ACL in his left knee. Daniel Gafford added 18 points, including two free throws with Dallas up by one and 11 seconds remaining.

The game featured a distinct second-quarter surge by Houston. Jabari Smith Jr. scored 10 of his 22 points in that period, helping the Rockets outscore Dallas 31-17. That run turned a seven-point Mavericks deficit into a seven-point Houston lead. Fred VanVleet finished with 16 points, and Thompson added 15 for the visiting team.

The Mavericks will host the Sacramento Kings on Monday night. The Rockets remain in Houston to host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night.