Mavericks' next rivalry is already heating up after NBA schedule release

The Dallas Mavericks' in-state rivalry with the Houston Rockets has seemingly died, as rivalries with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, and even the San Antonio Spurs have taken center stage. Dallas has played San Antonio in each of their last two home openers (and will do so again next season), the Lakers are a natural rival since they now have Luka Doncic, and the bad blood from the 2024 NBA Playoffs remains with the Thunder.

Dallas' rivalry with Houston is heating up

Despite these already-strong rivalries with other teams in the West, Dallas' rivalry with Houston could be revived after the NBA released every team's schedule on Thursday. The Mavericks play the Rockets twice in their first six games, including their season opener on the road. They are also in the same NBA Cup group, with the game on October 30 being both teams' first game of Group Play.

Dallas playing Houston multiple times this early in the season could help spark the rivalry once again, but the reasons that Mavericks-Rockets games could be fun again don't stop there.

The Mavs play the Rockets twice in the preseason on October 9 and 11 in the NBA China Games in Macao. Dallas will have played Houston four times within the span of three weeks by the time their sixth game of the regular season rolls around, and this dynamic is bound to create some fun storylines.

The sixth game is both teams' opening game of the NBA Cup, and the environment is bound to be heightened. These games come with more on the line, as players and teams are fighting to stay alive for the chance to reach the Knockout Rounds.

While location, the NBA Cup, and playing each other often could all play a role in this rivalry becoming relevant again, the Kevin Durant vs. Kyrie Irving battle is also something to watch. Irving and Durant were teammates for the Brooklyn Nets, and them being stars on their current teams will give these matchups some extra weight.

To add even more fuel to the fire, Dallas had interest in trading for Durant after acquiring Anthony Davis in 2025. Houston ended up making a move for him instead, leaving Mavericks fans who wanted KD in Dallas upset.

The Mavericks aren't far behind the Rockets

Most importantly, though, both teams will be jousting for positioning in the West all season. The Rockets are more established than the Mavericks right now, given that they've made the playoffs in each of the last two seasons while Dallas has not, but Irving and company have the chance to lift the Mavs past the Rockets in the standings.

Dallas addressed their need for more shooting in a big way, adding Santi Aldama, Marcus Sasser, Tarik Biberovic, and Zaccharie Risacher through trades, and they are in a position to be much better than last season. If everyone stays healthy, the Mavericks could shock the world and find themselves in the same conversation as Houston before the season is over.

It's going to take significant improvements across the board for Dallas to return to the playoffs and rival the Rockets in the standings, but it's not impossible. The beginning of the regular season and preseason should set the tone for what could be a fun rivalry, and some close games mixed in will raise the stakes even more.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow