Rockets vs. Mavericks Clash in Saturday Night NBA Showdown

The Houston Rockets host the Dallas Mavericks in their fourth and final regular season matchup.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 7:55pm

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The Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks are set to face off on Saturday night at Toyota Center in Houston. The Mavericks currently lead the season series 2-1, with the Rockets earning their lone win back in November. Kevin Durant has been a consistent force for the Rockets against Dallas, while Amen Thompson has also produced across the board in the matchups this season.

Why it matters

This late-season clash between the Rockets and Mavericks could have playoff implications, as both teams are jockeying for position in the Western Conference standings. The Mavericks will look to extend their lead in the season series, while the Rockets aim to even things up before the playoffs.

The details

The Rockets and Mavericks have met three times so far this season, with Dallas holding a 2-1 advantage in the season series. In the Rockets' lone win back on November 3, they held the Mavericks to just 44.9% shooting. The Mavericks responded with back-to-back home victories, shooting 57.4% over those two games. Kevin Durant has been a consistent presence for the Rockets against Dallas, averaging 27.3 points, 5.0 assists and just 2.0 turnovers per game in the series. Amen Thompson has also been productive, putting up 18.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 2.33 steals and 1.00 blocks per game against the Mavericks.

  • The Rockets and Mavericks will tip off at 7:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, February 1, 2026 at Toyota Center in Houston.
  • This will be the fourth and final regular season matchup between the two teams.

The players

Kevin Durant

The star forward for the Houston Rockets has been dominant against the Mavericks this season, averaging 27.3 points, 5.0 assists and just 2.0 turnovers per game in the series.

Amen Thompson

The Rockets' young guard has also produced across the board against the Mavericks, putting up 18.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 2.33 steals and 1.00 blocks per game in the season series.

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What they’re saying

“We must be ready for a tough battle against a divisional rival fighting for playoff position. Every game counts at this stage of the season.”

— Jason Kidd, Head Coach, Dallas Mavericks

“This is a big game for us, no doubt. We've had some good battles with Dallas already this year, and I expect another intense matchup on Saturday night.”

— Stephen Silas, Head Coach, Houston Rockets

What’s next

The Rockets and Mavericks will meet one more time in the regular season on March 15th at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

The takeaway

This late-season clash between the Rockets and Mavericks is a crucial game for both teams as they jostle for playoff positioning in the Western Conference. With the season series tied at 2-2, the outcome of Saturday's game could have major implications come playoff time.