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 player is at least 6’5″. Their shortest player, Amen Thompson, stands at 6’7″. More critically, the team lacks a traditional point guard. As a result, natural forwards like Thompson and Kevin Durant are being asked to play guard positions. This gap could very well be exploited by opponents.

Meanwhile, former Houston Rockets star John Wall sent a direct message to GM Rafael Stone, saying, “Houston better find a point guard now!” He made this comment to NBA insider Chris Haynes on The Association on NBA TV. The issue for the Rockets is that they traded both of their guards, Jaylen Green and Dillon Brooks, to the Phoenix Suns over the summer in exchange for Kevin Durant. Additionally, Fred VanVleet’s ACL injury has sidelined him for the 2025-26 season.

Reed Sheppard struggled to find his rhythm. Coming off the bench for 28 minutes, Sheppard shot just 3-of-11 from the field and 2-of-7 from beyond the arc, finishing with nine points, four assists, one block, and one steal.

While he flashed defensive effort, Oklahoma City’s quicker guards repeatedly targeted him on switches, exposing his foot speed and defensive awareness. The absence of a true floor general loomed large for Houston throughout the game.

With veteran point guard Fred VanVleet out for the season, the Rockets leaned on an oversized lineup featuring Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and Steven Adams- a group rich in talent but thin in playmaking.

Thompson carried most of the creation load before exiting in the first overtime with a muscle strain, leaving the Rockets scrambling for stability. Without a natural facilitator, Houston’s offense frequently stalled under OKC’s pressure, struggling to organize possessions and generate clean looks.

The Thunder’s guard trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace, and Ajay Mitchell capitalized with relentless pace and perimeter pressure, flipping control of the game in the closing minutes.

Ultimately, Sheppard’s uneven performance highlighted Houston’s broader issue- a lack of balance in the backcourt. When the game slowed down and execution mattered most, the Rockets’ decision to go without a traditional point guard proved costly.

Oklahoma City Thunder edged the Houston Rockets 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.