The Houston Rockets will face the Dallas Mavericks tonight at Toyota Center to open the 2026-27 NBA season, tipping off at 7:30 p.m. The home arena is undergoing construction work, adding an unusual backdrop to the first of 82 regular-season games.
Kevin Durant and his teammates are heading into the season with raised expectations after two consecutive first-round playoff exits. Coach Ime Udoka said the team’s goal extends beyond making the playoffs. “Coaches, players, we're not just trying to make the playoffs,” Udoka said. “We talked about being competitive and changing the perception in Year One and we did that. So the next steps are to not just make the playoffs but make some noise while you're there.”
The Rockets’ broadcast team has undergone a change. Vanessa Richardson, the sideline reporter, left for ESPN last week, and the Rockets have yet to name her replacement. For now, the Space City Home Network will carry the game with Craig Ackerman on play-by-play and Ryan Hollins as analyst, making it a two-person broadcast.
Among the new faces behind the bench is assistant coach Chip Engelland, who joined the Rockets this year as a shooting coach. Engelland’s approach to detail comes from his early experience as a ballboy for UCLA’s John Wooden. His role will focus on improving the shooting skills of Houston’s young roster, including players like Amen Thompson, Alperen Şengün, Jabari Smith Jr., and Reed Sheppard.
Durant remains the team’s cornerstone, his presence a major factor in Houston’s hopes for a deeper playoff run. Alongside him, Fred VanVleet, Tari Eason, and the rest of the core will be tasked with raising the bar this season.
NBA scouts and executives have been assessing Houston’s chances to leapfrog teams like San Antonio and Oklahoma City, but the Rockets’ leadership is focused on internal progress rather than external opinions. Udoka’s remarks underline the pressure on everyone involved to step up after two straight first-round exits.
The Rockets’ opener will be broadcast on Space City Home Network and SCHN+, with radio coverage available on 790 AM and 101.7 FM in Spanish.
Durant posed for photos during the Rockets’ media day on September 22, holding up his identification card as the team prepared for the new season. The first game offers a glimpse of how the additions to the coaching staff and the roster will mesh under Udoka’s direction.
As the season unfolds, the Rockets’ ability to improve their playoff standing will be watched closely, starting tonight against Dallas. The construction at Toyota Center and the broadcast changes add layers of adjustment for a team aiming to make a louder statement in the NBA this year.
According to Yahoo Sports.
