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Rockets vs. Mavericks in China: What to know about NBA China Games 2026

The Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks will open the 2026-27 NBA season with a two-game preseason series in Macao, China, as part of the NBA China Games 2026. The first matchup is scheduled for Friday, October 9, 2026, at 7 AM Central Time (CT), followed by a second game on Sunday, October 11, 2026.

The games mark the start of the preseason schedule for both teams and serve as a platform for experimentation ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

For the Mavericks, the series represents their first preseason action of the year and a reunion for star guard Kyrie Irving, who will play in at least one of the games. Irving, who missed the entire 2025-26 season, has called Macao a 'second home' and expressed excitement about returning to the court there.

The Mavericks, under coach Dusty May, will use the games to test wild lineups, including combinations featuring Irving and rookie Cooper Flagg. May has emphasized that winning is not the primary goal for these preseason games.

The Mavericks’ preseason begins with these games, offering a rare opportunity to evaluate new strategies and player chemistry before the regular season.

Fred VanVleet, who sat out last season, is expected to return for the Rockets, adding depth to their backcourt. The Rockets are using these games to build chemistry and test rotations for their new-look roster.

The NBA China Games continue to offer a unique start to the preseason, with teams traveling to Macao for preseason action. The Mavericks’ series against the Rockets serves as a critical warm-up, particularly for Irving’s return and May’s strategic adjustments.

The Rockets, too, will use the opportunity to fine-tune their roster dynamics before the official start of the league schedule.

This report also draws on coverage from Inside Asian Gaming, The New York Times, www.hitc.com.

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