The Houston Rockets started off the 2026 season with a strong statement as they defeated the Dallas Mavericks by a final score of 128-110, which starts the Rockets off 1-0, while the Mavericks start off 0-1.

In the opening game for the Rockets, there were definitely some positive takeaways but there were also some things that need to be improved as well. So, let's take a look at one winner and one loser from Houston's opening-night victory.

On opening night there were several players who played well and could be considered winners, but the player I want to focus on is guard Amen Thompson who played very well on both ends of the floor.

During the game against the Mavericks, Thompson totaled 16 points, 10 rebounds (six offensive rebounds), four assists, one steal, one turnover, and finished with a +5 in the ESPN box score. When it comes to efficiency, Thompson was also solid on that front as well, as he went 6-for-12 from the field, 1-for-2 from beyond the arc, and 3-for-5 from the free-throw line.

Looking at Thompson's overall performance from opening night, there is no surprise that he played well on defense and rebounded well as those are his strengths, but on the offensive end, his ability to shoot efficiently, take care of the ball, and playmake was a great sight to see.

In 2025, without veteran guard Fred VanVleet in the lineup, Thompson had to step up in a way that he may not have been ready for, but he was able to show some flashes. However, with VanVleet now back as the top starter in 2026, Thompson now has the ability to play a lot more freely, which showed in his stat line and his overall performance on both ends, and is the reason why Thompson is a winner for this game.

As Thompson and the Rockets move forward, if he can continue to let the game come to him on offense and dominate on defense, it is possible that he could have a career year and potentially make an All-NBA team.

Now, on the other side unfortunately there was a loser from opening night and that was guard Reed Sheppard who had a rough night to open the season for the Rockets.

Against Dallas on opening night, Sheppard played 16 minutes and tallied three points, two rebounds, four assists, three turnovers, two steals, and ended the night with a -5 on the ESPN box score, which was the worst mark on the team. Overall, Sheppard had a tough night, but in particular, his shooting was not great either, as he shot 1-for-6 from the field and from three-point range while not attempting any free throws.

With that said, for a player like Sheppard to settle for only three-pointers is not a great idea, mainly because if he goes cold, he could have nights like this where he struggles to score and then has to become more of a playmaker, which he can do, but it is not where he is fully maximized, as his scoring is his main strength.

Ultimately, the reason for Sheppard being a loser in this game is the fact that he could lose his spot in the rotation if he does not play better. While this was only one game, Sheppard starting the season like this is not a great sign, and if this kind of play continues, head coach Ime Udoka may need to evaluate other options such as guards Bogdan Bogdanovic or Bruce Thornton. 

Based on that, as Sheppard heads into Friday against the San Antonio Spurs, he has to have a better game, specifically on the offensive end, otherwise there really could be changes in the backcourt rotation sooner rather than later.

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