Overview
- Before the season opener at Paycom Center, the Thunder raised their first NBA championship banner and held a ring ceremony.
- Thunder fans loudly booed Kevin Durant during warmups and introductions, and television cameras captured him smiling and booing back.
- Rockets center and former Thunder favorite Steven Adams jokingly joined the crowd in booing Durant during pregame.
- Durant has said some in Oklahoma City “resented” him for leaving and told a fan online to “let that hurt go” after the 2025 title, reinforcing the lingering tension.
- In his Houston debut, Durant threw down an early dunk and logged a reported team‑high 14 points in the first half, with the Rockets staying off the floor during the ceremony.