After the Rockets of Houston and James Harden separated midway from the 2021 season, the Rockets have gone from unmissable tv to the groups that most individuals outdoors Houston didn’t suppose. Over the previous two seasons, this notion has modified slowly, and with the addition of Kevin Durant, the Rockets are actually one of many NBA marquee groups.
This standing was solidified even earlier than the entire calendar was launched, whereas the NBA introduced the matches of the opening night and the matches of the Christmas day. The Rockets won’t solely be a part of the NBA opening night matches, but in addition one of many Christmas Day matches. As soon as the calendar is full, we additionally found that the Rockets could be a part of 28 tv video games on the nationwide stage. It’s equally for the fifth many of the NBA this coming season.
As talked about above, the Rockets will play the opening night towards Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder as they elevated their first banner and likewise on Christmas day towards the Los Angeles Lakers. That is in fact not the one nationwide tv match, the Rockets can be a part of this subsequent season. Let’s check out 5 video games that followers of rockets ought to have gone round their calendar.
The Rockets could have the chance to get out of the door to indicate everybody across the NBA that they’re critical contenders whereas they open on the street towards the reigning champion, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. It won’t solely be the primary match of the Rocket season, but in addition the primary match of the NBA season.
Earlier than the match, the Thunder will enhance its very first banner as Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder after their seven sport victory towards the Indiana Pacers final season. The Thunder additionally presents the reigning MVP, so count on a contest sport between two of the very best NBA groups.
The Houston Rockets gained the southwest division final season with a major margin, ending 4 video games earlier than second place in Memphis Grizzlies. Nevertheless, every division workforce has made enhancements throughout the earlier season, together with their November 3 match towards the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavericks had been a part of one of the crucial surprising exchanges within the historical past of the NBA final season after they exchanged their franchise participant, Luka Doncic, on the Los Angeles Lakers of Anthony Davis. This enterprise has put the mavericks in a fog for the remainder of the season, from which they by no means recovered.
Even when the Doncic chew being in a Lakers jersey has not utterly dissipated, it turned out a bit after the Mavericks drafted Cooper Flagg primary. Now coming within the 2025-26 season, the Mavericks ought to problem the rockets of the division as a result of they hope to have a wholesome Irving Kyrie sooner or later this season to accompany Davis and Flagg.
A division championship doesn’t imply as a lot as earlier than, that the NBA has modified the burden of the victory of the division, however the rivalry between the 2 Texas groups continues to be so sturdy.
One other match that stands out initially of the season is Houston’s Rockets visiting the Phoenix Suns, who marks the primary match towards the brand new Suns, Jalen Inexperienced and Dillon Brooks. Because the profitable commerce that despatched Kevin throughout the Rockets and Inexperienced and Brooks to the Suns, most NBA followers have anticipated the primary match between the groups.
Jalen Inexperienced even weighed on the match.
H-City, thanks for every part !!!! Once I drop 30 on you subsequent season, bear in mind the nice occasions! 🤣 @Playerstribune https://t.co/zqycopl8zu
– Jalen Inexperienced🤍 (@jalengreen) July 23, 2025
A part of the Inexperienced’s assertion was most likely ironic, however in fact, he’ll wish to present the Rockets that they made a mistake for the change and can use this match as a vengeance sport. One other facet of this sport, in fact, is the return of throughout after having handed the final two and a half seasons with the Suns. The Suns shouldn’t be among the finest groups within the League, however with all of the decrease intrigue, count on a really aggressive sport.
For a very long time, the opening night and Christmas had been the times that the NBA used to advertise the groups he thought that almost all followers needed to look. Throughout Harden’s time with the Rockets, they had been often introduced on one, generally each days. After all, every part modified as soon as Harden introduced his abilities to Brooklyn.
The Rockets haven’t performed Christmas since 2019, and it isn’t a sport Followers of Rockets look with emotion, as a result of the brief -term warriors have exploded the Rockets with out Steph Curry. With the acquisition of Kevin Durant, the Rockets now have an opportunity to erase the unhealthy recollections of this sport of their collective recollections.
The Rockets will go to Los Angeles on Christmas Eve as they may face the Lakers. It says so much concerning the notion of the NBA on the Rockets, as a result of the Lakers are the primary franchise of the NBA by way of advertising and the way a lot they promote them all through the season.
On the sector, you’ve throughout LeBron James, Amen Thompson, confront Luka Donnteic and Sengun, who dominated his match with the Lakers, now dealing with the latest Laker, Deandre Ayton. As well as, it is going to be a gathering for Dorrian Finney-Smith, who briefly performed for Lakers final season after an mid-season change of Nets. Count on one other competitors match as a result of the 2 groups can be within the working for an NBA championship this coming season.
The video games talked about on this function are simply a few of the marquee matches this season. The Rockets can be one of many first NBA groups this season and could have matches throughout nice listening hours all season. Rocket followers ought to put together for one of the crucial thrilling seasons for a very long time.
