Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the defending-champion Thunder will have a difficult test in Game 1 of their inaugural title defense, as they host former OKC superstar Kevin Durant and the Rockets on opening night of the 2025 NBA season.
The storylines will be plentiful for this one. The reigning No. 1 seed and defending champs against last year's No. 2 seed. The active MVP and OKC franchise player in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs. Thunder great Durant, the latter of whom will have to watch the championship banner being raised at Paycom Center.
The two teams with the shortest odds on DraftKings to win the 2026 NBA Finals. NBC's first NBA broadcast in years. Kind of makes you feel like Riverdancing!
Oklahoma City was the best team in basketball the entire 2024-25 season, and Mark Daigneault's squad even flirted with history as it tied for fifth-most wins (68) in a single season. OKC's record at Paycom Center from opening night through the Finals: 56-8. Gilgeous-Alexander won the scoring title, MVP, Western Conference Finals MVP and Finals MVP.
BUY NOW: Tickets to see Thunder vs. Rockets NBA season-opener on StubHub
The Thunder were far more than just SGA, though — Jalen Williams also mounted an All-Star season, and Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and company led one of the deeper supporting casts in recent memory. Alex Caruso was the fan favorite, always pumping up the crowd. Lu Dort and Cason Wallace quietly locked up every defender they faced in the playoffs.
Houston has become pretty deep, too. Ime Udoka's Rockets went from a surprise two-seed despite having no real franchise player to a clear championship threat with Durant, the 2013-14 league MVP and a two-time Finals MVP with the Warriors. KD joins veterans Fred VanVleet and Dorian Finney-Smith — as well as young studs like Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. It's an explosive rotation, Rocket pun intended.
Interested in attending Game 1 of OKC's NBA title defense vs. Houston? Here's everything you need to know about the Thunder vs. Rockets on opening day of the 2025 NBA season, including tipoff time and links to the best and most affordable tickets.
Thunder vs. Rockets tickets for NBA 2025 opening day
- Tickets: StubHub
Tickets for the Thunder-Rockets opening day game are available now on StubHub, and it's obviously listed as a "high-demand" event.
At last glance in mid-August, only three percent of tickets remained, and the cheapest get-in price was a little over $260 per ticket. The highlight seats in the lower-bowl section have been going for $476-$550 and up.
Click the link below for updated pricing and seat availability.
BUY NOW: Tickets for Thunder-Rockets season-opener in OKC
Thunder vs. Rockets date, time for NBA 2025 opening day game
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 21
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
The Thunder and Rockets will clash in OKC on the first night of the 2025-26 NBA season Tuesday, Oct. 21, during which the Thunder will raise their championship banner and have their ring ceremony. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Paycom Center seating map
Here's the Paycom Center seating map for the first game of the 2025-26 NBA season between the reigning-champion Thunder and the Rockets.
Ticketmaster
Oklahoma City Thunder 2025-26 schedule
A complete schedule of 2025-26 OKC games has not yet been released. Click here for tickets to every matchup.
Houston Rockets 2025-26 schedule
A complete schedule of 2025-26 Houston games has not yet been released. Click here for tickets to every matchup.