Feb. 7, 2026, 12:04 p.m. CT
For the Houston Rockets to get back in the win column, they’re going to have to be up to the unenviable task of guarding the Oklahoma City Thunder‘s twin towers, Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren. They may not be very high-volume scorers on offense, but they still score the ball with great efficiency and have above-average playmaking feel for their size.
That means Rockets center Alperen Sengun is going to need to fare a whole lot better on the less glamorous side of the floor than he has of late. If he doesn’t look noticeably more locked in on that end, expect Oklahoma City to win handily.
Records, standing, and streaks
At present, the Rockets have a 31-19 record and two-game losing streak, which puts them in the Western Conference standings’ fourth-place slot.
The Thunder are the owners of a 40-12 record, good enough for tops in the Western Conference.
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Houston lost to the Charlotte Hornets (109-99) at home.
Oklahoma City came up short against the San Antonio Spurs (116-106) on the road.
Injuries
For Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal strain) is out, Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain) is out, Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery) is out, Nikola Topic (surgical recovery) is out and Jalen Williams (right hamstring strain) is out.
For Houston, Fred VanVleet (ACL repair) is out, Steven Adams (left ankle surgery) is out and Jae’Sean Tate (left wrist contusion) is out.
Probable starting lineups – Houston
