Thunder Visit Rockets for Final Preseason Game as Teams Finalize Rotations

Overview

• The Oklahoma City Thunder play the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center at 7:30 p.m. CT on Thursday, Oct. 15, in the final preseason game with national and local coverage on NBA TV, Thunder+ and KSBI.
• OKC enters the game after a 114-112 overtime win over Indiana and a 1-3 preseason record that coaches used to evaluate rookies such as Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz and Jared McCain.
• Rookie Otega Oweh is out for the season with a ruptured Achilles and guard Nikola Topić missed all of preseason with a back issue, both of which limit OKC’s depth and shape tonight’s player minutes.
• The Rockets, fresh from a two-game trip to China, are integrating veterans Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanović into their rotation and will use the finale to confirm early playing roles.
• OKC’s offseason trades of Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe were made to create salary flexibility, and the team faces a looming decision on a potential Cason Wallace extension that could affect its 2026–27 roster construction.