Rockets 111-107 Mavericks (Jan 31, 2026) Game Recap

Expert recap and game analysis of the Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks NBA game from January 31, 2026.

22 20 .524 W L WIN%

Team: Dallas Mavericks Date: January 31, 2026 ️ Venue: Toyota Center, Houston, TX ✈️ Away Record: 9-12 Season Series: 0-2 vs HOU Top Scorer: Cooper Flagg: 34 pts ⏰ Result: Loss 107-111

28 14 .667 W L WIN%

Team: Houston Rockets Date: January 31, 2026 ️ Venue: Toyota Center, Houston, TX Home Record: 16-6 Season Series: 2-0 vs DAL Top Scorer: Amen Thompson: 21 pts ⏰ Result: Win 111-107

Amen Thompson delivered a near triple-double performance to lead the Houston Rockets to a thrilling 111-107 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at Toyota Center on Saturday night. The second-year forward showcased his versatility with 21 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, making crucial plays down the stretch to secure the win for Houston. The game came down to the wire with both teams exchanging baskets in the final minutes, but the Rockets’ execution in clutch situations proved superior.

Final Score Breakdown

The decisive moment came when Thompson threw down an alley-oop dunk to put Houston up four points with under two minutes remaining. Dallas responded strongly as rookie sensation Cooper Flagg and Naji Marshall scored consecutive baskets to tie the game with about a minute left. Alperen Sengun then hit a crucial layup to put the Rockets ahead with 28.6 seconds on the clock. After Flagg missed a shot in the lane, Tari Eason sealed the victory with a dunk that made it 111-107 with just 14.4 seconds remaining.

Game Leaders

Cooper Flagg delivered a spectacular performance for Dallas, finishing with 34 points and 12 rebounds in his second game following his historic 49-point explosion against Charlotte. The 19-year-old phenom recorded his fifth 30-point game of the season, continuing to validate his status as the No. 1 overall pick in the previous draft. However, his missed layup in the final minute proved costly for the Mavericks.

Jabari Smith Jr. contributed 19 points for Houston, providing consistent scoring support throughout the contest. Alperen Sengun added 14 points and 14 rebounds, dominating the interior against Dallas. The Rockets’ balanced attack and superior rebounding proved decisive in the close contest.

The game featured multiple momentum swings, with Houston building a 13-point lead after a Josh Okogie three-pointer midway through the third quarter. Dallas responded with a 13-5 run to close the gap to five points entering the fourth. Klay Thompson’s consecutive three-pointers in the final quarter sparked a Mavericks comeback that cut the deficit to eight points. Flagg then scored six straight points to bring Dallas within four, setting up the dramatic finish.

Tips / interesting facts:

1. Amen Thompson’s near triple-double (21 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds) showcased his development as a primary playmaker for the Rockets.
2. Cooper Flagg followed his NBA-record 49 points by a teenager with another dominant 34-point performance, proving his scoring ability is no fluke.
3. This was Flagg’s fifth 30-point game of his rookie season, establishing him as an elite offensive talent.
4. Alperen Sengun’s 14-point, 14-rebound double-double gave Houston a significant advantage in the paint.
5. The Rockets improved to 28-14 on the season, solidifying their position in the Western Conference playoff race.
6. Klay Thompson’s veteran presence sparked Dallas’s fourth-quarter comeback attempt with timely three-point shooting.

Upcoming Schedule

The Rockets will look to build on this momentum as they continue their push toward the top of the Western Conference standings, while the Mavericks aim to bounce back from this narrow defeat when they host the Celtics.