News Summary
The NBA season begins with a doubleheader featuring the Oklahoma City Thunder facing the Houston Rockets. The Thunder will celebrate their first championship banner while key players are sidelined by injury. Houston’s revamped roster includes former Thunder star Kevin Durant. Both teams are looking to set a strong tone for the season ahead as they navigate player absences and adjust their lineups.
Oklahoma City – The 2025-26 NBA season officially kicks off on Tuesday with a doubleheader, featuring the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder taking on the Houston Rockets at 7:30 PM ET, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Golden State Warriors at 10 PM ET. This exciting season opener also marks the Thunder’s celebration of their first NBA championship banner from last season.
The Thunder, led by All-NBA swingman Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, are looking to build on their recent success. Gilgeous-Alexander, who was named the league’s Most Valuable Player last season, averaged 5.3 assists per game during the preseason and has shown significant improvements in his playmaking abilities. However, the team will face challenges as they are missing several key players due to injuries.
Notably, rookie big man Thomas Sorber is sidelined for the entire season due to an ACL injury. Additionally, veteran swingman Kenrich Williams is recovering from offseason knee surgery, while rookie point guard Nikola Topic is expected to miss until mid-November following a medical procedure. All-NBA swingman Jalen Williams will also miss the season opener as he recuperates from wrist surgery, leaving the Thunder seeking alternatives to fill the scoring void.
In contrast, the Houston Rockets are gearing up for a fresh start with former Thunder star Kevin Durant set to make his debut for the team on Opening Night. The Rockets’ starting lineup will include Durant, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, and Steven Adams. However, they will contest the matchup without key players Fred VanVleet, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Jae’Sean Tate, who are all out for the season due to injuries.
The Thunder are counting on players such as Chet Holmgren to step up in the absence of Jalen Williams, with expectations for him to take on a larger role within the team’s offense. Ajay Mitchell, who is returning from a turf toe injury, is poised to establish himself as a reliable backup ball-handler. Furthermore, the Thunder anticipate that player Wiggins will increase his scoring output to help fill the gap left by the injured Williams, while players like Wallace are expected to contribute as playmakers.
This season marks a significant point in the NBA with the introduction of the “Tap to Watch” initiative, aimed at providing fans with easier access to live national and local games across various broadcasting partners. This effort is part of the league’s commitment to enhancing fan engagement and making games more accessible.
Both games of the doubleheader promise to set the tone for an exciting season ahead, with the Thunder aiming to defend their title and the Rockets looking to make an impact with their revamped roster. Basketball fans nationwide are eagerly awaiting to kick off what is anticipated to be an unpredictable and thrilling season filled with surprises.
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Additional Resources
- Sports Illustrated: Thunder Playmaking Leap
- NBA.com: Thunder Release Options
- News On 6: Thunder Banner Night Injury Report
- Houston Chronicle: Rockets Starting Lineup
- Covers: Rockets vs. Thunder Predictions
- Wikipedia: National Basketball Association
- Google Search: Oklahoma City Thunder
- Google Scholar: NBA Injuries 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NBA
- Google News: NBA Opening Night 2025
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