Houston closes its exhibition slate Thursday at home against Oklahoma City before opening the regular season against Dallas on October 21, the third meeting between the clubs this month. Four regulars — Durant, VanVleet, Sengun and Adams — carry day-to-day tags with the same return date as Thursday's finale.
Last season
Houston won 52 games a year ago, the sixth-best net rating in the league at 5.4, before the Lakers eliminated the Rockets in the first round after Houston forced a Game 6 from down 3-0. That early exit is still the backdrop for every minute logged since: a roster built through the draft, reinforced last July by Durant, still chasing a series win past either the Lakers or the Warriors, the two clubs that have ended its last two postseasons.
This month
The exhibition slate against Dallas has split so far: a 135-117 road win on October 9, led by a triple-double from Sengun (16 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) and 20 points from Tari Eason, then a 115-132 home loss two nights later with Marcus Smart scoring 20 and Reed Sheppard adding 17. One exhibition game remains before the games start counting.
This week
Houston closes its exhibition schedule Thursday, October 15, hosting Oklahoma City on NBA TV — the only game on the calendar this week. Four regulars carry day-to-day tags entering it: Durant, VanVleet, Sengun and Adams, each given that same date as an estimated return, which points toward a full lineup rather than a setback.
October 21
The regular season opens at home against Dallas on October 21, the third meeting between the two teams since October 9 and the first that counts in the standings. Houston's record resets to 0-0 that night, closing the book on a 1-1 exhibition mark against the same opponent.
When do the Rockets play the Thunder this preseason?
Houston hosts Oklahoma City on Thursday, October 15, in its final preseason game, airing on NBA TV.
When does the Rockets' 2026-27 regular season start?
The regular season opens at home against Dallas on October 21.
