The Houston Rockets played their third and final preseason game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, getting one last tune-up before games begin to count Wednesday night in Houston against the Dallas Mavericks.
For Houston, the preseason has already served its main purpose. The Rockets took a trip across the Pacific Ocean to play a pair of games with the Dallas Mavericks before returning home for this final exhibition, and Ime Udoka’s group already has a decent idea of what its rotation will look like when the regular season starts.
What the final preseason game means
That makes this matchup more about rhythm than evaluation. The Rockets are not entering this week with major questions about their top group, and the final preseason game gives the coaching staff one more chance to get organized before the schedule turns serious.
The timing is also straightforward. Houston’s regular season begins Wednesday night, and the opener comes at home against Dallas. That gives the Rockets only a short window between their last preseason action and the first game that matters.
The Thunder, meanwhile, came into the night in a different spot. Oklahoma City had already played four preseason games and was preparing for its fifth game that doesn’t count. The Thunder also kept their core from last season, even while making offseason trades to reduce future financial obligations.
There is still some important business ahead for Oklahoma City. Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams already have rookie extensions that kicked in this season, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is set to get a salary increase next season. The Thunder also have to figure out a Cason Wallace extension by Monday or risk him hitting restricted free agency next summer.
So while the Rockets were using their final preseason game as a last stop before opening night, the Thunder were still balancing immediate preparation with longer-term roster and cap planning. For Houston, the path is simpler now: get through the last exhibition, reset, and be ready for Wednesday night in Houston.
For more on the Rockets’ broader planning, see the team's contract work in Amen Thompson Contract: Houston Rockets commit $208 million to their young core, and for another look at Houston’s offseason direction, there is also Kevin Durant wants to stay in Houston as Rockets plan contract talks, says Rafael Stone.
