The Thunder will host the Houston Rockets for the 2025-26 Opening Night on Tuesday, Oct. 21. As tradition, they will celebrate their NBA championship with a pregame banner drop and ring ceremony. Kevin Durant's attendance across the court gives this matchup some extra juice as it will start the NBC era.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers' final opponent in the 2024-25 season will be their first opponent in the 2025-26 season. The Pacers will host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The game will air on ESPN.

There will be two games played that night, both airing on NBC and Peacock. Over the past two seasons, the NBA season has begun on the fourth Tuesday in October. Due to the 2025 calendar, the new season will start a week earlier, on the third Tuesday in October.