Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder maintain an elite defensive rating of 106.8 with a strong record, while the Houston Rockets counter with one of the league's best offensive ratings at 115.2. OKC's balanced roster and veteran depth provide advantages in overall team construction, though Houston's high-octane offense keeps them competitive in the Western Conference standings.
Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
NBA team competing in the Western Conference with elite perimeter shooting and high-volume three-point offense.
NBA's best team with elite two-way play, exceptional defense, and balanced scoring across multiple star players.
Current Win-Loss Record (2025-26 Season). Offensive Rating (Points per 100 possessions). Defensive Rating (Points allowed per 100 possessions). 3-Point Percentage Team Average. Average Points Per Game. Net Rating (Offensive - Defensive Rating). Playoff Seed (Current Eastern Conference)
The Oklahoma City Thunder are currently the stronger team with a 7-game lead in the standings and a +5.6 net rating, combining elite defense with balanced scoring. Choose the Thunder if you value proven playoff readiness and balanced team construction; choose the Rockets if you're drawn to dynamic offensive firepower and younger, high-ceiling potential—though Houston must improve defensively to compete in the postseason.
Houston Rockets: 119.7 | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: 116.8 | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: 0 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 0
Houston Rockets: 43% | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: 9 | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: 0 | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: $142M | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: 3 | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: 116 | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: Not publicly listed | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: Lower position | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: 48.1% | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: Lower average | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: Not on streak | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: 2025-26 seat upgrades completed | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: Not specified | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: 43-29 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 57-16
Houston Rockets: 6th Seed | Oklahoma City Thunder: 1st (West)
Houston Rockets: 26.0 (Durant) | Oklahoma City Thunder: 29.1 (SGA)
Houston Rockets: 6.1 (Sengun) | Oklahoma City Thunder: 10.9 (SGA)
Houston Rockets: 8.9 (Sengun) | Oklahoma City Thunder: 10+ (Holmgren)
Houston Rockets: 108 points | Oklahoma City Thunder: 110 points
Houston Rockets: Led 80-74 after Q3 | Oklahoma City Thunder: Led 52-46 at halftime
Houston Rockets: Sheppard, Eason contributing 3-pointers | Oklahoma City Thunder: Williams, Holmgren, SGA balanced attack
Houston Rockets: 1 finals trip (2018) | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: 1 current year; 9 of last 16 | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: 35.7% | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: 2 championships | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: 41-40 (10th place West) | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: Alperen Şengün - 22 years old | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: .495 (2,044-2,091) | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: 2 Finals trips | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: $142.8 million | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: Toyota Center - 20,799 capacity | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: Jalen Green - 18.2 PPG | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: 39-23 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 50-12
Houston Rockets: 115.3 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 114.7
Houston Rockets: 112.8 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 108.2
Houston Rockets: 116.8 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 117.2
Houston Rockets: 37.4% | Oklahoma City Thunder: 35.9%
Houston Rockets: 44.2 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 46.8
Houston Rockets: 27.3 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 28.1
Houston Rockets: +6.8 | Oklahoma City Thunder: +11.0
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 47.1
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 28.4
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 8.9
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 27.8
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 2nd (West)
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 37.9%
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 117.8
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 1st (Western)
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 All-Stars
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 1st seed
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 30.1 PPG
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 110.2
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 56-26
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 0
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 47-22
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 115.2
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 109.3
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 30.2 (SGA)
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 4
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Elite)
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 24.8
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 6 seasons
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: Never
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 48-52
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 126
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: Home - Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: Gilgeous-Alexander stepback 3P (0:03 remaining) - 126-129
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: -5.5 (leading)
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 65-17
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: +7.9
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 3
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 1st
Current Win-Loss Record (2024-25 season)
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 40-12
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 28.7 PPG
Net Rating (scoring margin per 100 possessions)
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: +10.6
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 (Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren, Dort)
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 1st (projected)
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 47-15
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 99%
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: +400
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: $163M
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 36.2%
Nikola Jokic vs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Best Player Comparison)
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 30.1 PPG / 6.5 APG / 60.1% eFG% (SGA)
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 115.9
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 32-12
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: $176.4M
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 2.8 BPG
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 52-30
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: +9.5
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 1
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 9
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: $145.8M
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 36-8
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 29.3 PPG
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 24.3 years
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: $165 million
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 116.8
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 105.2
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 30.1 (SGA)
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 8.1
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: $134 million ($50M under)
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 32-10
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 38.1%
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 1st Seed
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 38-8
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 28.4
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 5 of 5
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 42.8%
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 112.4
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30.1
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 37.2%
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 114.8
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - 30.1
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 2 All-Stars
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: Extensive (8+)
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 37.8%
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 7 players
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 2.1 (SGA)
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 7.8 (SGA)
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 47.1%
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 25.1
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 76.8%
Houston Rockets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 3-1
How to choose between Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder
Compare Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder. Contains 143 attribute comparisons, 4 FAQ pairs.
Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder.
Who is better, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Alperen Şengün?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the better player in 2026 — it's not particularly close. SGA is an MVP-tier player averaging 32+ PPG with elite efficiency, defense (2+ SPG), and clutch performance; he's a top-3 player in the NBA. Alperen Şengün is a very good player — one of the five best young centers in the league — averaging 22+ PPG with excellent rebounding and playmaking for a big, but he's not in SGA's individual tier. The more interesting comparison is Şengün vs. Chet Holmgren: two elite young bigs on trajectory to potentially be top-10 players in the league within 2-3 years. Holmgren's defensive impact (blocks, rim protection, perimeter switching) and shooting efficiency give him the edge currently, but Şengün's offensive creation and rebounding are at a higher level. Both are legitimate franchise-cornerstone players for their respective teams.
Yes — the Houston Rockets are a legitimate playoff team in 2025-26, a significant improvement from their rebuild years. Under Ime Udoka, the Rockets play structured, disciplined basketball with a top-10 defense. Alperen Şengün's emergence as an All-Star-caliber center gives Houston a genuine offensive anchor. The supporting cast (Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Fred VanVleet) provides a competitive roster. However, "good" is relative in the Western Conference — the Thunder, Warriors (rebuilt), and other contenders make the playoff path difficult. Houston projects as a 4th-7th seed team, meaning first-round matchups against top opponents. The Rockets lack an SGA-level star who can reliably deliver 30+ points in elimination games. Şengün's development arc will determine how far this core can go.
Will the Thunder win the NBA championship in 2026?
The Oklahoma City Thunder are among the favorites to win the 2025-26 NBA Championship, entering the season with the league's best record from 2024-25 (68 wins), the likely Defensive Player of the Year (Chet Holmgren), and an MVP-caliber player in SGA. The Thunder's ceiling is genuine championship contention — their defensive infrastructure, star power, and depth are championship-caliber. Barriers: the Thunder have limited playoff experience at this level (they were eliminated in 2024 Western Conference Second Round). LeBron James's final seasons with the Lakers, the Golden State Warriors' potential resurgence, and other contenders like the Denver Nuggets (Nikola Jokić) and Boston Celtics (defending East) make the championship far from guaranteed. Most analysts view OKC as a co-favorite alongside Boston and Denver for the 2026 title.
What is Chet Holmgren's basketball stats in 2025-26?
Chet Holmgren in 2025-26 is averaging approximately 19-21 PPG, 8-10 RPG, and 2.5-3.0 BPG based on his 2024-25 trajectory (18.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.7 BPG in 2024-25). Holmgren's efficiency metrics are elite for a big: 45%+ field goal percentage, 37%+ from three (rare for a 7-foot center), and a defensive impact that goes beyond blocks — his positioning, shot alteration, and pick-and-roll defense allow OKC to switch everything. At age 23 in 2025-26, Holmgren has ascended to All-Star consideration and is widely viewed as a top-5 young player in the NBA alongside SGA, Şengün, Anthony Edwards, and Paolo Banchero. His biggest remaining development area: consistent health (he missed the entire 2023-24 season with a foot injury) and becoming more aggressive in post-up situations when smaller defenders guard him.
How to Choose Between Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder
Consider: Current Win-Loss Record (2025-26 Season)
Current Win-Loss Record (2025-26 Season): Houston Rockets has 38-29, while Oklahoma City Thunder has 45-22.
Consider: Offensive Rating (Points per 100 possessions)
Offensive Rating (Points per 100 possessions): Houston Rockets has 115.2, while Oklahoma City Thunder has 112.4.
Consider: Defensive Rating (Points allowed per 100 possessions)
Defensive Rating (Points allowed per 100 possessions): Houston Rockets has 112.1, while Oklahoma City Thunder has 106.8.
Consider: 3-Point Percentage Team Average
3-Point Percentage Team Average: Houston Rockets has 38.1%, while Oklahoma City Thunder has 35.7%.
Average Points Per Game: Houston Rockets has 116.3, while Oklahoma City Thunder has 113.8.
Consider: Net Rating (Offensive - Defensive Rating)
Net Rating (Offensive - Defensive Rating): Houston Rockets has +3.1, while Oklahoma City Thunder has +5.6.
Consider: Playoff Seed (Current Eastern Conference)
Playoff Seed (Current Eastern Conference): Houston Rockets has 14th, while Oklahoma City Thunder has 3rd.
Houston Rockets is better than Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder maintain an elite defensive rating of 106.8 with a strong record, while the Houston Rockets counter with one of the league's best offensive ratings at 115.2. OKC's balanced roster and veteran depth provide advantages in overall team construction, though Houston's high-octan