The Houston Rockets face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in a Western Conference showdown, with both teams dealing with significant injuries to key players. Houston aims for its fourth straight road win, while OKC looks to rebound from a recent loss and maintain its strong home record. This matinee features Kevin Durant’s return to OKC, adding intrigue to a matchup between contrasting styles: the Rockets’ veteran-led offense versus the Thunder’s efficient, depth-driven attack.
Venue Location
Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK. This is a home game for the Thunder.
Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 PM ET (12:30 PM PT).
Injury Report
Both teams are heavily impacted by injuries, with OKC missing its top scorers and Houston without key veterans. This could lead to a lower-scoring affair as depth players step up.
Houston Rockets Injuries:
| Player | Status | Injury Details |
| Fred VanVleet | Out | Torn ACL; expected to miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season. |
| Steven Adams | Out | Left ankle surgery; out for the season. |
| Jae’Sean Tate | Out | Left wrist contusion. |
| Tristen Newton | Out | G League two-way assignment. |
Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries:
| Player | Status | Injury Details |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Out | Abdominal strain; expected to be re-evaluated after the All-Star break. |
| Jalen Williams | Out | Right hamstring strain. |
| Ajay Mitchell | Out | Abdominal strain. |
| Nikola Topic | Out | Groin/testicular surgery recovery. |
| Thomas Sorber | Out | Torn ACL; out for the season. |
Player Matchups to Watch
With stars sidelined, this game shifts focus to big men and wings. OKC’s efficiency (No. 1 in PPG) meets Houston’s rebounding prowess (No. 1 in RPG), but injuries could force reliance on role players like Jared McCain’s debut for Thunder.
- Kevin Durant (HOU) vs. Chet Holmgren (OKC): Durant’s scoring (recent 31 PTS) faces Holmgren’s defense (elite rim protection). Durant’s OKC homecoming adds narrative.
- Alperen Sengun (HOU) vs. Isaiah Hartenstein (OKC, if available): Sengun’s playmaking vs. Hartenstein’s rebounding; could dominate the paint without Adams.
- Amen Thompson (HOU) vs. Jared McCain (OKC debut): Thompson’s athleticism vs. McCain’s scoring; a youth battle with SGA/JDub out.
- Other Notes: Aaron Wiggins (OKC) could exploit mismatches; Tari Eason (HOU) for defensive energy.
Recent Team Forms
Rockets are middling lately but strong on the road; Thunder have cooled off, going 5-5 amid injuries.
Houston Rockets (6-4 in last 10 games, averaging 108.6 PPG, allowing 108.8 PPG):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Feb 5 | vs CHA | L | 99-109 |
| Feb 4 | vs BOS | L | 93-114 |
| Feb 1 | @ DAL | W | 115-110 |
| Jan 30 | vs MEM | W | 112-105 |
| Jan 28 | @ SAS | W | 108-102 |
| Jan 25 | vs NOP | L | 105-112 |
| Jan 23 | @ DEN | W | 120-115 |
| Jan 21 | vs LAC | L | 102-110 |
| Jan 19 | @ UTA | W | 118-105 |
| Jan 16 | vs MIN | W | 110-105 |
Oklahoma City Thunder (5-5 in last 10 games, averaging 116.3 PPG, allowing 108.5 PPG):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Feb 4 | @ SAS | L | 106-116 |
| Feb 3 | vs ORL | W | 128-92 |
| Feb 1 | @ DEN | W | 121-111 |
| Jan 29 | @ MIN | L | 111-123 |
| Jan 27 | vs NOP | W | 104-95 |
| Jan 25 | vs TOR | L | 101-103 |
| Jan 23 | vs IND | L | 114-117 |
| Jan 21 | @ MIL | W | 122-102 |
| Jan 19 | @ CLE | W | 136-104 |
| Jan 17 | @ MIA | L | 120-122 |
Series History
Thunder lead all-time 126-119. OKC is 2-0 this season, with close and dominant wins.
| Date | Location | Result | Score |
| Jan 15, 2026 | vs OKC (HOU home) | L (HOU) | 91-111 |
| Oct 21, 2025 | @ OKC | L (HOU) | 124-125 (2OT) |
| Apr 4, 2025 | vs OKC (HOU home) | W (HOU) | 125-111 |
| Mar 3, 2025 | @ OKC | L (HOU) | 128-137 |
| Feb 27, 2025 | vs OKC (HOU home) | W (HOU) | 112-108 |
Rockets have won 3 of the last 7 overall.
Betting Trends
Thunder are favorites despite injuries, but trends favor unders in low-scoring games. OKC is 28-24 ATS overall, 18-8 at home; Houston 27-23 ATS, 15-12 on road.
- ATS Trends: Thunder 5-5 ATS last 10; Rockets 6-4 ATS last 10. OKC 3-2 ATS as home favorites lately.
- O/U Trends: Over hit in 6 of Thunder’s last 10; under in 7 of Rockets’ last 10 road games.
Game Odds
Houston Rockets 229.5
Oklahoma City Thunder – 3.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, February 6, 2026
