On Thursday, January 15th, the Houston Rockets will face the Oklahoma City Thunder at home for the first time since the epic double-overtime opening night showdown that kicked off the 2025-2026 season, which is already foreshadowing this year’s Wild Wild West showdown.
when: Thursday, January 15th @ 6:30 PM (Central Time)
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where: Toyota Center, Houston
Where to watch:
Amazon Prime Video (paid)
Fubo (with subscription)
Possibility of localized power outages
Rockets vs. Thunder Reporting an injury:
Please bookmark this. These absences show up on the floor.
Houston:
Outside: Forward – Tali Eason (ankle)
Outside: FW – Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle)
Outside: Guard – Fred VanVleet (ACL)
Oklahoma City:
i doubt it: Guard – Luguentz Dort (foot)
Outside: Guard – Nicolatopic (groin)
Outside: Center – Isaiah Hartenstein (calf)
Season out: Center – Thomas Sober (knee)
Betting odds:
Spread: Oklahoma City -5 (-108), Houston +5 (-112)
Moneyline: Oklahoma City -176, Houston +148
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Total points: 221.5
Over/Under: -110
odds provider FanDuel Sportsbook
Odds are subject to change
On the Houston side, Tali Eason was sidelined as he continues to treat a sprained right ankle. This is a real loss for the side. Eason is one of Houston’s most troublesome defenders and can generate extra possessions with his movement and rebounding from the perimeter.
Josh Okogie is the most likely candidate to absorb that time, and while he’s not a one-for-one replacement for Eason, he brings the right skill set to this matchup, including on-ball pressure, physicality, and sprint-to-play energy that can disrupt Oklahoma City’s timing.
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Dorian Finney-Smith, who is sitting with a sprained left ankle, further cuts into Houston’s wing depth. Without him, rotations become tighter and margins on the perimeter become thinner. That being said, Houston was without Finney-Smith the last time they faced the Thunder, and throughout most of the season.
Fred VanVleet continues to be out, and at this point Houston is already building an identity that can function without a traditional House leader. They lean more toward shared creation, late possession when needed, and winning with defense and rebounding than a consistent shooting volume.
Oklahoma City is without Isaiah Hartenstein, leaving their inside anchor out of action. His screening, paint physicality, and rebounding presence will need to be absorbed by a creative center rotation, especially against an engine like Alperen Sengun tasked with controlling the paint.
Luguentz Dort’s questionable status is also under scrutiny. If he is limited or sits, Oklahoma City will lose one of its most important point of attack defenders. Without him, the Thunder may be forced to send an early helper to Kevin Durant, and Hartenstein’s absence will make it harder to wipe out extra attention, either leaving interior space for Sengan or opening up kickouts to the perimeter.
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Tonight’s equation is very clean. If Houston takes care of the ball and keeps Oklahoma City out of transition, they’ll have a real chance to control the tempo at home — even if they’re shorthanded on the wing.