Kyrie Irving scored 24 points and the Dallas Mavericks overcame the loss of Cooper Flagg to spoil Tyrese Haliburton's home return for the Indiana Pacers in a 121-105 victory Friday night.

Flagg, last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, did not play in the second half after he injured his left shoulder when he was fouled by Aaron Nesmith on what looked like it would be a breakaway dunk.

Nesmith was called for a flagrant foul, and a double technical was assessed after a brief shoving match ensued. Flagg finished with 15 points, five rebounds and six assists.

Last season's NBA Rookie of the Year did not play in the second half and did not speak to reporters following the game.

Dallas put the game away early, using a 22-6 run in the first quarter to open a 42-23 lead. The Mavs then scored 15 straight points in the second quarter to push their advantage to 61-31.

Haliburton had 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds in his first home game since the 2025 NBA Finals.

Irving made 5 of 10 from 3-point range. P.J. Washington had 20 points and 13 rebounds for the Mavericks in their first win under new coach Dusty May, who grew up in Indiana.

DUSTY ON 3! #MFFL

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) October 24, 2026

Thompson's late block on Wembanyama lifts Rockets

Amen Thompson blocked Victor Wembanyama's game-tying layup attempt with less than a second remaining and the Houston Rockets held on to beat the San Antonio Spurs 114-110.

Fred VanVleet made two free throws for the final points after Thompson turned away the 7-foot-4 Wembanyama in the lane as the Rockets started their season with two victories.

Kevin Durant had 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists in a homecoming game for the former University of Texas star. Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Wembanyama had 25 points and 13 rebounds, but San Antonio fell to 0-2. He banked in a long 3-pointer on the possession before the 6-7 Thompson's block, but it didn't count because Spurs coach Mitch Johnson had called timeout with 5 seconds left before Wembanyama released the ball.

Alperen Sengun scored 29 points, including eight straight in the fourth quarter, for the Rockets. The 6-11, 243-pound Sengun muscled his way inside to create layups and free throws.

Though it was a Spurs home game, Durant had his share of fans. He was national college player of the year for Texas in 2006-07. Durant made a critical 3-point shot with 1:34 remaining.

Dylan Harper had 20 points, including a driving dunk that left the Spurs trailing by two with 46 seconds left.

LET'S SEE IT AGAIN https://t.co/UYxqLXkmpU

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 24, 2026

Tatum stars as Celtics fend off Knicks

Jayson Tatum scored 25 of his 36 points in the second half, including seven of his team’s final eight to help the Boston Celtics hold off the New York Knicks 107-103.

Paul George and Neemias Queta added 15 points apiece to fend off a late rally by the defending NBA champion Knicks, who fell to 0-2 after losing their season opener to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 22 points to lead five Knicks in double figures. OG Anunoby had 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, Deuce McBride finished with 20 points and Jalen Brunson added 19.

In a game that featured 12 lead changes and four ties, Boston outscored New York 33-24 in the third quarter to increase a one-point halftime lead to 10 entering the final period.

The Celtics’ edge grew as high as 91-79 before a 12-3 Knicks run cut it to 94-91 on Towns' putback dunk.

New York got it back to 99-96 on Josh Hart's 3-pointer before Queta turned it over, leading to Brunson's floater. But Tatum responded with a 19-footer on Boston’s next possession that made it 101-98 with 1:11 remaining.

HIM https://t.co/FUYbI4hECw

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 24, 2026