The Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks open the 2026-27 season against each other in a Southwest Division clash, with both teams facing major offseason changes.
The Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks kick off the 2026-27 NBA season with a Southwest Division showdown on October 9 at 12:00 PM UTC in Dallas. Both teams enter with new-look rosters and something to prove: the Rockets sit 2nd in the division, the Mavericks 3rd, and this early-season matchup could set the tone for the conference race. With no recent game data available, the focus shifts to offseason moves and how each team adapts.
Houston Rockets: Post-Westbrook Era Begins
The Rockets were 2nd in the Southwest Division as the season approaches, but their offseason was overshadowed by the retirement of former MVP Russell Westbrook. Westbrook, a nine-time All-Star, announced his retirement after 18 NBA seasons with seven teams, leaving a void in leadership and playmaking. While the Rockets’ own free agency moves weren’t specifically highlighted, the league landscape shifted around them, with DeMar DeRozan signing with the Nuggets and other teams making splashes. Houston will rely on their young core to step up, though no injury report or projected lineups were available. The opener against Dallas is a chance to prove they can compete without Westbrook’s star power.
Dallas Mavericks: Rebuilding on the Fly
The Mavericks enter 3rd in the Southwest Division with major roster turnover. The biggest change: Klay Thompson plans to sign a two-year, nearly $13 million deal with the Miami Heat after clearing waivers following his contract buyout from Dallas. Thompson’s departure leaves a gap in the wing rotation, forcing the Mavericks to rely on other scorers. The team is in a transitional phase, with free agency grades still coming in and the front office looking to climb the division standings. The preseason opener against Houston will be the first look at how the revamped roster gels, with no recent game data or injury reports to gauge their readiness.
Head-to-Head: Division Rivals at a Crossroads
This matchup pits two Southwest Division rivals at a crossroads. Houston is adjusting to life without a future Hall of Famer, while Dallas is reshaping its roster after Thompson’s exit. Both teams have question marks, but the Rockets’ stability (2nd in division) gives them a slight edge on paper. The Mavericks, however, have home-court advantage and a chip on their shoulder after a turbulent offseason. Key factors to watch:
- Which team’s new rotation finds chemistry faster?
- Can Houston’s young players fill the scoring void left by Westbrook?
- Will Dallas’s wing depth hold up without Thompson?
- Early-season energy: who sets the tone in the division?
Prediction
With both teams unproven, this opener is a coin flip, but Houston’s higher division standing and more settled core give them a narrow advantage. Expect a competitive game, but the Rockets’ continuity should edge out the Mavericks’ new-look lineup.
Prediction: Houston Rockets win a close one, 108-104.
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