How Thunder veteran Lu Dort trolled Pacers guards with the NBA Finals' Larry O'Brien trophy at a recent event.

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.

There hasn't been a back-to-back champion in the NBA since the Golden State Warriors accomplished the feat in 2017 and 2018, but that might change in 2025-26 if the odds are to be believed.