The NBA is back! On Tuesday night, the 2025-26 NBA season kicked off with a showcase of how talent-rich the Western Conference is.
In the night’s opener the Houston Rockets came up short to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, but OKC needed two overtimes to get a W. Then in part two of the NBA opening night double header, the Golden State Warriors showed why they can be a huge problem out West with a win over the Los Angeles Lakers despite a big performance from Luka Doncic.
Following Tuesday’s double header, we offer up some hot take reactions to night one of the new NBA schedule.
Rockets got Kevin Durant to be a closer and didn’t let him
NBA: Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder
Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
The Rockets had multiple chances to put daggers in the Thunder and get a big NBA opening night win. And they had one of the greatest late-game players of all-time in uniform to do just that. Yet, in the final minutes of the fourth and in overtime, Houston’s players seemed to forget that fact.
The reason the Rockets made a blockbuster trade for the future Hall of Famer in the offseason is because of his legacy of brilliance, putting the ball in the basket at the end of games. Ime Udoka and his young players did not make a concerted effort to let Durant do what he does best, and it cost them a win on Tuesday.
Related: Bold NBA Predictions for All 30 Teams in 2025-26, Including a Thunder Repeat
Lakers got the very good and bad from Luka Doncic
NBA: Preseason-Sacramento Kings at Los Angeles Lakers
William Liang-Imagn Images
In his first NBA opening night game as a member of the Lakers, Doncic showed why he is one of the 10 best players in the game by nearly getting a triple-double on a night where he dropped 43 points. However, late in the game, the superstar showed why Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison had concerns about his long-term future when he seemed to suffer a lower-body injury late in the game.
Doncic has played in 70 or more games just twice in his career. While he is in better shape than years past, his injuries showing up in Game 1 of the new season should also concern LA if they hope to win championships with the Slovenian legend.
Thunder missed Jalen Williams, but still won
NBA: Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder
Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
The Thunder could have beaten the Rockets in regulation if they had No. 2 option and All-Star Jalen Williams. Although Chet Holmgren played well (28 points and 7 rebounds) Williams is a player who can go get his own shot when the defense looks to force the ball out of MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s hands. They can’t win a second straight title without him.
However, on NBA opening night, OKC proved why they remain the team to beat in the West by overcoming his absence and a very good Rockets team to start their title defense with a win.
Related: NBA Predictions for Every Team’s Record, Playoff Brackets & Finals Winner in 25-26 Season
This version of Jonathan Kuminga can be key to a Warriors championship
NBA: Preseason-Portland Trail Blazers at Golden State Warriors
John Hefti-Imagn Images
The Warriors scored a decisive win on Tuesday night, and future Hall of Famers Jimmy Butler (31 points, 5 boards, and 4 assists) and Stephen Curry (23 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) will get the credit for the W, but Jonathan Kuminga’s performance can’t be overlooked.
On Tuesday, he posted 17 points, 9 boards, and 6 assists. If Golden State can get nights like that consistently from their fourth-best player, people need to start taking them seriously as a serious threat to the Thunder.
Alperen Sengun evolving into the best big man after Nikola Jokic?
NBA: Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder
Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Two seasons ago, Alperen Sengun had a breakthrough season for an average Rockets team. It was impressive but also came with doubters. Then he followed it up with an All-Star season and being a top player on an elite team in the West. Yet, some doubters remained.
Well, on NBA opening night, the Rockets’ big man proved why he is turning into, arguably, the best big in the league after Nikola Jokic. Against an elite Thunder defense, he put up 39 points, 11 boards, and 7 assists as he showed the nation his diverse skill set and why he can be an offensive force in the league. Houston has something special in the Turkish 23-year-old.
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After earning his journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos served as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sucka ... More about Jason Burgos