Dallas Mavericks vs Houston Rockets: where to watch live and start time (NBA, Oct 30) By Luís Henrique Costa
3 min read
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The Dallas Mavericks host the Houston Rockets on Friday, October 30, 2026, in their NBA Cup group play opener, with tip-off at 8 p.m. Eastern time in the United States. The game is at the American Airlines Center in Dallas and can be watched on KFAA-TV, WFAA, SCHN and several streaming services.
Houston enters with a 5-0 record and sits first in the Western Conference. Dallas is 3-2 and seventh in the West. Both teams are in the NBA Cup’s Western Group A, along with the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz. The Rockets won the previous meeting 128-110, and Dallas trailed by as many as 37 points in that game before losing by 18.
Where to watch Dallas Mavericks vs Houston Rockets live
The game is available on the following U.S. channels and platforms:
- KFAA-TV, Channel 29 (Dallas): free-to-air TV
- WFAA (ABC, Dallas): free-to-air TV
- SCHN (Space City Home Network): cable TV
- NBA League Pass: streaming
- MavsTV+: streaming
- SCHN+: streaming
Start time and venue for Dallas Mavericks vs Houston Rockets
- Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. local time in Dallas)
- Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
- Competition: NBA Cup, group play, Western Group A
Read also: Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder: where to watch live and start time (NBA, Oct 28)
How the Dallas Mavericks arrive
Dusty May is the Mavericks’ coach in his first season in the NBA, according to NBA.com. Cooper Flagg, last season’s Rookie of the Year, is the team’s main star. Kyrie Irving, who is back from a knee injury that required ACL surgery, is the team’s point guard.
A report from October 29 lists five Dallas players as unavailable:
- Santi Aldama
- Tarik Biberovic
- Sergio De Larrea
- Dereck Lively II
- Naji Marshall
How the Houston Rockets arrive
One source lists Ime Udoka as the Rockets’ coach in his fourth season. The team’s own confirmation of that was not found. Amen Thompson has been a standout early in the season. Fred VanVleet has returned to play after a season lost to a torn ACL, and Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, former teammates, will meet for the 20th time.
The same report lists three Houston players with injury designations:
- Alperen Sengun: day-to-day, back
- Marcus Smart: day-to-day, forearm
- Steven Adams: out, calf
The status of Sengun for October 30 is not settled. Another source reported that he missed the October 28 game against the Milwaukee Bucks, and no second source confirms his availability for this game.
Read also: Milwaukee Bucks vs Houston Rockets: where to watch live and start time (NBA, Oct 28)
Referees for Dallas Mavericks vs Houston Rockets
The NBA has not released the referee, assistant or VAR assignments for this game in the sources consulted.
Previous meeting and next games for the Mavericks and Rockets
The Mavericks’ next game is at home against the Utah Jazz on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET, in NBA Cup play. The game will be shown on NBA League Pass. No next game for the Rockets was confirmed in the sources consulted.
