The Houston Rockets made a huge swing toward title contention this offseason, acquiring 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns in a record-breaking seven-team trade.
The Rockets are expected to be one of the favorites to come out of the Western Conference in the 2025-26 campaign, surrounding Durant with All-Star big man Alperen Sengun, rising star Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. and Fred VanVleet. The team features a deep roster and will aim to make its first NBA Finals appearance since winning it all in 1995.
Now, Durant and the Rockets are set to face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Opening Night, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. The 2025-26 campaign will kick off Oct. 21 with a two-game slate, with the second being the Golden State Warriors at the Los Angeles Lakers.
???Opening Night of the 2025-26 NBA season on NBC on Oct. 21, per sources:
– Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder
– Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 8, 2025
Houston’s roster features a strong supporting cast alongside Durant, focusing on a mix of both youth and veteran leadership to complement the superstar’s elite scoring abilities.
Still, the Rockets will face plenty of competition in a stacked Western Conference, which includes the Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets. Houston finished with an impressive 52-30 record last season, placing second in the West after missing the playoffs the previous four seasons.
Durant is set to make his regular-season debut for the Rockets in Oklahoma City, returning to face the franchise where he won the 2014 NBA MVP award. The Opening Night showdown marks a new era for the Rockets but could also serve as an early preview of a potential postseason series.