Misfortunes never come singly.
As if losing Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace to serious injuries were not enough, the Thunder will now be without Chet Holmgren for eight to ten weeks.
It is devastating news for one of the title favourites, who now face an uphill battle if they are to maintain their championship ambitions.
With Williams, Wallace and Holmgren all sidelined, Oklahoma City have suffered a major blow, leaving Mark Daigneault with a severely depleted squad.
Tonight, they travel to Houston to face a Rockets team coming off their first defeat of the season, against Dallas in the NBA Cup.
The hosts also have injury concerns of their own, with Fred VanVleet and Reed Sheppard unavailable.
Thunder vs Rockets date and time
Date: 31 October 2026.
Time: These are the Thunder vs Rockets start times by time zone.
| United Kingdom | 00:30 |
| Dominican Republic, USA (Boston, New York and Miami), Puerto Rico and Venezuela | 18:30 |
| Mexico (central), USA (Texas and Chicago), El Salvador, Costa Rica and Nicaragua | 16:30 |
| Mexico (Pacific) and USA (Los Angeles) | 16:30 |
| Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay | 19:30 |
| Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Panama | 18:30 |
Venue: Toyota Center, Houston.
Thunder vs Rockets starting fives
| Thunder | Rockets |
| Shai Gilgegous-Alexander | Fred VanVleet |
| Jared McCain | Amen Thompson |
| Ajay Mitchell | Kevin Durant |
| Kenrich Williams | Jabari Smith Jr. |
| Isaiah Hartenstein | Clint Capela |
Thunder vs Rockets: best bet
Logic suggests that, with such absences, the Rockets are the strong favourites to win on their home court.
However, we cannot rule out the Thunder, with Shai at the helm and a squad that knows each other very well and may come out highly motivated in situations like this.
The Rockets were the best team in the West in terms of form until last night’s defeat against Dallas, despite Kevin Durant’s 28 points.
Latest on the Thunder: absences and form
The team coached by Mark Daigneault has suffered another blow in the form of an injury.
Holmgren has recently joined the serious absentees Williams and Wallace, and they are also without Alex Caruso because of an ankle injury.
Player to watch: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
If he already had to put in extra effort because of the injuries to Williams and Wallace, he will now have to give double because of Holmgren’s injury.
This project, and this season, runs directly through the hands and form of Shai and his most MVP-like version yet.
So far this season he is averaging 26 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per night.
Latest on the Rockets: absences and form
Centre Alperen Sengun and his team-mate Red Sheppard will also miss tonight’s game because of a back injury.
Otherwise, everyone will be available for coach Ime Udoka.
Player to watch: Kevin Durant
Durant said it himself. He is not ready to take on less responsibility, nor to give up more of the spotlight in attack.
Durantula has made a sweet start to the year, and with VanVleet’s presence the team looks like a different side. You don’t need to be an engineer to see that this team needed a true playmaker, and that is where VanVleet comes in.
Durant is averaging 23 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
Rockets vs Thunder: head-to-head record
Last season they met three times, with the Thunder winning 2-1.
- 22 October: OKC win 125-124 with 35 points from Shai.
- 16 January: OKC win 111-91 with 20 points from Shai.
- 7 February: Houston win 112-106 with 23 points from Eason.
Thunder vs Rockets predictions
- 25+ points for Shai.
- 20+ points for Durant.
- Double-double for Isaiah Hartenstein
- 3+ three-pointers made by Jared McCain
- Another double-double for Fred VanVleet
Where to watch Rockets vs Thunder
The Rockets vs Thunder game is available in the UK via an NBA League Pass subscription.
