The big picture

Oklahoma City Thunder come in 8th on the ladder; Houston Rockets are 7th. Only a couple of spots separate them, so there is plenty riding on it.

Oklahoma City Thunder are 7–2 in NBA 2026-27, averaging 112 points for and 107.4 against.

Houston Rockets are 7–2 in NBA 2026-27, averaging 117.9 points for and 107.6 against.

Form

Oklahoma City Thunder have won three of their last five and most recently beat Memphis Grizzlies 128–97.

Houston Rockets have won three of their last five and most recently lost to Minnesota Timberwolves 107–117.

Oklahoma City Thunder arrive on a 3-game winning streak.

Head to head

These sides have met 85 times on our records since 2008: Oklahoma City Thunder 41, Houston Rockets 44.

Last time out (2026-27), Houston Rockets won 119–98 at Toyota Center (Houston).

Biggest margin between these two: Oklahoma City Thunder by 37 points in 2022-23 (133–96).

Players to watch

For Oklahoma City Thunder, watch Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (29.9 points a game, 37 rebounds in 2026-27) and Ajay Mitchell (19.7 points a game, 33 rebounds in 2026-27).

For Houston Rockets, watch Alperen Sengun (22.4 points a game, 64 rebounds in 2026-27) and Kevin Durant (20.8 points a game, 47 rebounds in 2026-27).

At Paycom Center

Oklahoma City Thunder have won 17 of their last 20 at Paycom Center.

The deeper numbers

Houston Rockets are NBA's best second-quarter side in 2026-27: +8.4 points a game in second quarters.

What the numbers say

On the numbers this is too close to split.