On Tuesday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder will host the Houston Rockets for the first game of the 2025-26 NBA season.
The Thunder will hang their banner to commemorate the 2025 NBA Championship victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Oklahoma City Thunder And Houston Rockets Injury Reports
For the game, both teams have announced their injury reports.
The Rockets will be without Fred VanVleet, Dorian Finney-Smith and Jae’Sean Tate.
Isaiah Crawford is listed as questionable.
Meanwhile, the Thunder have ruled out Isaiah Joe, Nikola Topic, Thomas Sorber, Jalen Williams and Kenrich Williams.
Via The NBA: “THE NBA SEASON STARTS TONIGHT. 🍿 Shai, Thunder get their rings 🍿 KD debuts for Rockets 🍿 Steph, Warriors vs. Luka, Lakers IT ALL BEGINS at 7:30 PM ET on NBC and Peacock!”
THE NBA SEASON STARTS TONIGHT.
🍿 Shai, Thunder get their rings
🍿 KD debuts for Rockets
🍿 Steph, Warriors vs. Luka, LakersIT ALL BEGINS at 7:30 PM ET on NBC and Peacock! pic.twitter.com/f7ANHC1cFe
— NBA (@NBA) October 21, 2025
The Rockets are coming off a year where they made the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2020.
They were the second seed in the Western Conference, but lost to Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs (in seven games).
Following OKC, the Rockets will play their second game on Friday night when they return home to host the Detroit Pistons.
On the other side, the Thunder were the first seed in the Western Conference.
They beat the Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves before winning the title over the Pacers.
Following their showdown with Houston, the Thunder will play their second game on Thursday night when they host the Pacers.
Via Hoop Muse: “Rockets Starting 5 on Opening Night: PG: Amen Thompson SG: Kevin Durant SF: Jabari Smith Jr. PF: Alperen Sengun C: Steven Adams Everyone is 6’11 except Amen (6’7)”
While the Thunder will be watched closely for their title defense, the Rockets are one of the most intriguing teams in the NBA due to the fact that they landed 2014 MVP Kevin Durant in a trade (with the Phoenix Suns) over the summer.
