The Rockets are already reaping instant rewards of Kevin Durant's arrival

The Houston Rockets will play in the first regular-season game of the 2025-26 season when they travel to Oklahoma City to face the defending champions. Kevin Durant's official Rockets debut will coincide with NBC's first NBA game since 2002. Tuesday, Oct. 21, will be epic.

Rockets-Thunder will be the first of two games that night, with Warriors-Lakers taking up the late game slot. The East will sit out opening night, a testament to how dominant the Western Conference is.

Houston surprised everyone by securing the No. 2 seed this past season. The Rockets clashed with the Warriors in the playoffs, but lacked the firepower to make it past Game 7 for their first series win in five years. How did the front office respond?

By fleecing the Suns for Durant, sending Phoenix Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft. That is all it took to land the future Hall-of-Famer. Durant will turn 37 next month, but he's still Kevin Durant. Houston managed to significantly boost its title odds without mortgaging its future.

Rockets fans everywhere will benefit, with Houston returning to primetime television.

Rockets will play on NBA Opening Night and Christmas Day

Houston will also play on Christmas Day for the first time since 2019. The Rockets will travel to LA to face the Lakers, with tip-off slated for 7 p.m. CT. That's quite the pre-holiday gift.

Durant didn't suddenly make Houston relevant again, but when you add a player of his caliber to the roster, the league takes notice—literally. The full schedule isn't out yet, but you can bet the Rockets will dominate primetime television.

KD's history with the Thunder adds an exciting twist to his debut. It'll be a tough first test right out of the gate for Houston, but that's a good thing. OKC will be one of the Rockets' biggest challengers to making it out of the West. What a statement it would be if Houston ruins ring night for Durant's old team.

Durant still has at least a few seasons left in his tank, and he wants to win another championship. The goal is for him to add another ring to his collection; otherwise, he wouldn't be in Houston.

The journey will officially begin in a little over two months.