Santi Aldama and Sergio De Larrea will begin their upcoming stint with the Dallas Mavericks far from Texas, opening the 2026–27 NBA pre-season with a two-game series against the Houston Rockets in Macao, according to regional reports. The matches are scheduled for October 9 and October 11, marking the first time the two Spanish players will share a court as teammates under the Dallas franchise banner.
Macao Hosts the Mavericks’ International Opener
The NBA continues its global outreach efforts by bringing pre-season basketball to Macao, placing American professional basketball at the forefront of the regional sports calendar in Asia. These consecutive matchups between the Mavericks and the Houston Rockets will serve as the opening chapter of the 2026–27 preparation schedule.
For the league, the trip reinforces a broader strategy to connect with international fan bases in Asian markets. For the participating teams, the overseas trip offers an early platform to test combinations, manage playing minutes, and establish tactical systems without the immediate pressure of regular-season standings.
A Milestone for Spanish Basketball
The overseas series carries added significance for Spanish basketball fans, as it provides the first official look at Aldama and De Larrea wearing the same NBA jersey. Reports indicate that the focus during the two friendlies will center on how quickly both players adapt to the team’s dynamics and find their footing within the franchise’s project.
For Aldama, the games represent another step forward in his career within the league. Meanwhile, De Larrea faces the challenge of integrating into a competitive roster backed by historical expectations and high demands. The fixtures in Macao will act as the initial testing ground where their paths in Dallas officially intersect.
Pre-Season Objectives and Schedule
Beyond the final scores, coaching staffs will use the 48-hour turnaround between games to evaluate physical conditioning and assess summer roster additions. The confirmed match dates highlight the unique start to the campaign:
- October 9: Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets (Macao)
- October 11: Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets (Macao)
Once the Macao swing concludes, Dallas will continue preparations for the remainder of the 2026–27 season, using the early overseas framework to build team identity and establish rotation depth.
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