Reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City will play host to the Houston Rockets on October 21 to tip off the league's 80th season, NBA officials announced on Tuesday.

The Thunder will raise their championship banner before reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammates face the Kevin Durant-led Rockets.

The game will be the first of two on opening night for the 2025-26 season with the later start featuring the Golden State Warriors at the Los Angeles Lakers, as Golden State star guard Stephen Curry and Lakers' playmaker LeBron James -- both four-time NBA champions -- meet for the 57th time in their iconic careers.

James, a 40-year-old forward, will become the first player in NBA history to compete in a 23rd NBA campaign while teammate Luka Doncic plays in his firs

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