Two OTs in the season opener is nothing short of madness! The Houston Rockets vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder truly welcomed the 2025-26 NBA season in style. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a 35-point game, reminding the home crowd and the guests why he is the 2025 MVP. Meanwhile, Alperen Sengun declared his presence with a double-double (39 points, 11 rebounds). And Kevin Durant? As unguardable as always, the Slim Reaper chipped in 23 points in the Rockets’ 124-125 loss. Interestingly enough, Houston’s defeat unveiled one of the major gaps on their roster.

Ime Udoka has a roster where every starting five is over 6’5. Their shortest player, Amen Thompson, is 6’7. Most importantly, they lack a guard on the team. So much so that natural forwards are playing 1 and 2, like Thompson and KD. Is this gap enough for the opponents to exploit? Well, sure.

Meanwhile, former Houston Rockets star John Wall sent a direct message to GM Rafael Stone, “Houston better find a point guard now!” He said this to NBA insider Chris Haynes on The Association on NBA TV. Now, the trouble with the Rockets is that they traded both guards, Jaylen Green and Dillon Brooks, to the Phoenix Suns over the summer break to acquire Kevin Durant. Meanwhile, Fred VanVleet’s ACL injury has put him out of the league for the 2025-26 Season.

Coming back to the game. Oklahoma City Thunder edged the Houston Rockets 125-124 in a heart-stopping overtime thriller by exploiting turnovers, clutch precision, and Houston’s costly mistakes. Both teams shot nearly identically from the field, OKC 44.2% (46/104) and Houston 44.3% (43/97), while three-point shooting faltered with OKC hitting 13 of 52 (25%) and Houston 11 of 39 (28.2%). The Thunder turned Houston’s mistakes into points, even though Houston out-rebounded them 52 to 38, including 16 offensive boards.

Turnovers proved decisive as Houston coughed the ball up 22 times versus OKC’s 11, fueling critical Thunder runs. Assists told the story of sharper playmaking, 29 to 23, creating cleaner shots. Paint points favored Oklahoma City 50 to 44, overpowering Houston inside. Defensive pressure produced 12 steals, while Houston’s 87.1% free throws kept them close. Clutch moments in OT split points evenly at first. OKC claimed the edge 10-9 in the second overtime, sealing an unforgettable victory.

Meanwhile, it was an interesting night for Kevin Durant when he returned to the Paycom Center, where his journey in the NBA began 19 seasons ago.

Kevin Durant returns to Oklahoma City in a new jersey

Kevin Durant stepped onto the court as a Rocket, facing the familiar glare of his former team. The hometown crowd greeted the 2013-14 MVP with a chorus of boos, true to form. Yet Durant shrugged it off, insisting it’s all love with Oklahoma City, even if the boos echo every time he touches the ball.

“It’s part of the brand of OKC to boo me when my name gets introduced, but I think it’s all love after that,” the Slim Reaper told the media. “Walking onto the court, at the hotel, walking around town, every time I come here, it’s just so much love and respect. People always telling me they appreciate my time here. And I feel the same way,” he added.

Chaos, drama, and pure basketball magic collided in Oklahoma City as the Thunder snatched a heart-stopping win over the Rockets. Shai commanded the floor. Sengun roared. And Durant reminded everyone why he is unguardable, even amid boos. Houston’s roster quirks screamed opportunity for opponents, and the game exposed cracks that cannot be ignored. Yet through turnovers, clutch moments, and relentless energy, Oklahoma City wrote a thrilling opening-night story that no fan will forget.