Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets will face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in tonight’s opening game on NBC (7:30 ET).
Welcome to the 2025-26 NBA season! We’re beginning with a doubleheader on NBC and Peacock, featuring Rockets-Thunder (7:30 ET) and Lakers-Warriors (10 ET).
Follow along with NBA.com’s live blog of all the action!
We’ll be here tonight and throughout the season, sharing highlights, observations, news and notes, making sure you’re getting all the best the Association has to offer.
5:30 PM / OCTOBER 21, 2025
The NBA is back tonight
We’re tipping off the 2025-26 NBA season with a star-studded doubleheader on NBC and Peacock that’s packed with intrigue.
THE WAIT IS OVER.
THE 2025-26 NBA SEASON STARTS TONIGHT!
🍿 HOU/OKC, 7:30pm/et
🍿 GSW/LAL, 10pm/et
📺 NBC and Peacockpic.twitter.com/fIc3u5CVCe
— NBA (@NBA) October 21, 2025
In the opening contest, the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, featuring last year’s Kia NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, will be presented with their championship rings before facing former franchise cornerstone Kevin Durant and the new-look Houston Rockets, who are looking to build on a 52-win campaign.
Hope the @okcthunder have figured out which finger to wear their championship rings on… because they’ll receive them tonight 🤩
💍 OKC Ring Night & Thunder/Rockets
⏰ 7:30pm/et on NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/bd6mUsohok
— NBA (@NBA) October 21, 2025
In the nightcap, iconic Western Conference rivals will tip off their quests for the Larry O’Brien Trophy, as Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors face Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers.
5:30 PM / OCTOBER 21, 2025
Kevin Durant returns to Oklahoma City
15-time All-Star Kevin Durant, who signed a two-year extension with Houston on Monday, returns to Oklahoma City this evening to tip off the season.
Durant scored 17,566 of his NBA points in Oklahoma City, rising to third on the franchise’s all-time scoring list. He’s now ready to put his legendary touch to work for the Houston Rockets.
Shaun Powell caught up with Durant ahead of tonight’s action, getting his thoughts on returning to Oklahoma City and continuing his historic career.
Kevin Durant makes his regular-season debut with the @HoustonRockets tonight at 7:30 PM ET on NBC/Peacock.
Last season, Durant became just the eighth player in NBA history to join the 30,000-point club.
A look at where he stands among the NBA’s all-time scoring leaders ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/vamxfMF9sk
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) October 21, 2025
He faces Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who stands at sixth on the Oklahoma City scoring list with 10,405 points, and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
5:00 PM / OCTOBER 21, 2025
Get ready for a new season!
We’re about to begin the 2025-26 NBA season! Enjoy some of the best moments from last year and get excited for tonight’s games.
Last season gave us unforgettable @emirates #FlyBetter moments from above the rim! Here’s to a new season of big plays and bigger wins! pic.twitter.com/gDbWMfcE5E
— NBA (@NBA) October 21, 2025