The Rockets (3-2) entered Saturday with a top-rated offense and below-average defense, but their win in Boston showed elite play on both ends.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have opened the 2025-26 NBA season with a wild 125-124 win in double overtime over the Houston Rockets.

The OKC Thunder and the Houston Rockets opened the 2025-26 NBA season on Tuesday at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. Tuesday's opening night also included the ring ceremony for the reigning champion Thunder. OKC began its title defense against the retooled Rockets, which finished at No. 2 in the Western Conference behind the Thunder.

That said, a 40-year-old LeBron James will miss the Lakers' opener against the Warriors. The four-time league MVP and four-time NBA champ is dealing with sciatica and is reportedly eying a mid-November return. James' early-season absence could set the stage for the beginning of a Dončić MVP campaign.

The Rockets and the Raptors are set to play each other in the upcoming NBA 2025-26 season game. Here is all about the schedule. Date, time, live stream and more.