Dallas to open exhibition season with a pair of games against the Rockets in Macao
DALLAS – We don't yet know what the Dallas Mavericks lineup is going to be for the 2026-27 NBA season.
But we now know when we'll get our first official look at the possibilities for the Cooper Flagg-led club.
The Mavs announced their 2026 preseason schedule on Wednesday, which tips off with a pair of games against the Houston Rockets on Friday, Oct. 9 and Sunday, Oct. 11.
And where will these exhibitions take place? At The Venetian Arena in Macao.
That would be China.
The matchups with Houston will be a part of The NBA China Games 2026, all part of the league's plan for world sports domination. (And no, we're not trying to be sarcastic here.)
This will mark the Mavericks’ first trip to China since 2018, when Dallas played a pair of exhibition games against the Philadelphia 76ers in Shanghai and Shenzhen.
There are of course more conventional items on the preseason slate as well.
Following the two meetings with the Rockets in China, the Mavericks will return to Dallas to wrap up the preseason against the New Orleans Pelicans and Atlanta Hawks at home on Oct. 14 and Oct. 16.
What can be accomplished here? Some meshing, hopefully, with young Flagg and the veteran Kyrie Irving, who have yet to play together ... and some introduction to first-round pick Morez Johnson Jr. into the next phase of his budding career.
2026 DALLAS MAVERICKS PRESEASON SCHEDULE
-Fri. Oct. 9 Houston vs. Dallas 7:00 a.m. Macao, China
-Sun. Oct. 11 Dallas vs. Houston 5:00 a.m. Macao, China
-Wed. Oct. 14 New Orleans vs. Dallas 7:00 p.m. AAC
-Fri. Oct. 16 Atlanta vs. Dallas 7:00 p.m. Dallas, AAC
