The NBA schedule-makers knew what they were doing. We found out how much of a fan of the dramatics they are when it was revealed who the Oklahoma City Thunder would host for 2025-26 Opening Night.

This year’s season opener is a little more special. It’ll be the first year of the NBA’s new broadcast marriage with NBC. To cut the ribbon on the new era, the Thunder will play the Houston Rockets. But before the ball is tipped in the air, the NBA champion will have a pregame ceremony of a championship banner drop and rings handed out.

Oh, and Kevin Durant will be in attendance. His trade to the Rockets was the biggest offseason move. Poetically enough, it happened the same day Shai Gilgeous-Alexander brought the Larry O’Brien trophy to OKC when the Thunder won Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals.

As we get closer to the Tuesday, Oct. 21 matchup, Durant shared his thoughts on the obvious storylines centered around him and the Thunder. No love is lost between both sides since his infamous 2016 departure to the Golden State Warriors. Expect plenty of boos.

Durant appeared on Kay Adams’ “Up & Adams Show” to reveal his mixed emotions about his attendance there. He spent his first nine seasons with the Thunder. He won his sole MVP award there and was a perennial championship contender alongside Russell Westbrook.

“I just think I’ve been around for so long that the storyline still has some type of legs. First game on a new broadcast. I don’t know whether to think it’s cool or not, but I know what it is,” Durant said. “It should be a fun night, with OKC getting their rings. I’m in the building, hopefully they pan over to see my reaction. Them getting their rings is the most important thing.”

Durant was asked his thoughts on the Thunder’s NBA championship. After all, continuously falling short in the playoffs was one of the main motivators for his divorce. That’s despite OKC always being in the conversation with two of the best five players in the league.

“I’m not happy or sad or mad that I missed out, because I’ve won two championships,” Durant said. “And this was like a decade ago. I just think there’s a lot of controversy surrounding my name in Oklahoma City. So, to celebrate the start of the season with that context and that floating around the game… I don’t know if it’s cool or not. Because on one hand, you are opening up the season, which is a privilege.”

Despite some online trolling this offseason with Thunder fans, it seems like Durant is beyond done with the drama. The 37-year-old has played for four different franchises since he left OKC. He won a pair of championship rings. Now, he’s hoping the twilight stage of his career is spent on a contender.

The Rockets are viewed as one of the top threats to dethrone the Thunder. Durant’s addition solves their top scorer problems that cut their playoffs short last year. Even though he’s no longer in the conversation for best player, he can still put up an efficient 25-plus points.

“I’m grateful to be playing on that night, and being the first game people see on the new broadcast. But what storylines might come from this game, I have no clue,” Durant said. “And some storylines may not involve celebrating the game, or celebrating OKC and what they did last season. Some might involve me, which is unfortunate.”