Kevin Durant heads to the "Houston Rockets" in a blockbuster move that will be showcased immediately when the 2025-26 NBA season tips off on October 21. The league announced a compelling two-game slate that features Durant's debut against the defending champions.
Oklahoma City Thunder will raise their championship banner before facing Durant and his new-look "Rockets" in what promises to be an emotionally charged season opener. The Thunder, with their championship core intact and one year wiser, enter as early favorites.
"This opening night matchup gives us exactly what basketball fans crave - a hungry superstar against the team that just climbed the mountain," - as league scheduling officials might put it.
In the night's second game, LeBron James suits up for his remarkable 23rd NBA season as his "Los Angeles Lakers" host Stephen Curry and the "Golden State Warriors" in another star-powered showdown.
Interestingly, despite LeBron's continued presence, reports suggest the Lakers are now viewed as Luka Doncic's team, with the young superstar reportedly prepared to put up massive numbers in the upcoming campaign.
Neither game has official betting lines yet, though early projections suggest the Thunder might open as 5.5-point favorites against Houston. Even with Durant's scoring prowess, Oklahoma City's championship experience gives them the edge on paper.
Can Durant immediately elevate the Rockets to contender status? Will the Thunder's championship hangover affect their start? The NBA couldn't have scripted a more intriguing opening night to begin answering these questions.
