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
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.
Compare Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Young, rebuilding NBA team featuring emerging stars Alperen Şengün and Jalen Green competing in the Western Conference.
Western Conference leader with elite offensive efficiency and balanced scoring depth
Current Win-Loss Record (2025-26 Season)
Offensive Rating (Points per 100 possessions)
Defensive Rating (Points allowed per 100 possessions)
Net Rating (Offensive - Defensive Rating)
Playoff Seed (Current Eastern Conference)
Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder — Comparison Data
Structured comparison data for Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder with 132 attributes.
Current Win-Loss Record (2024-25 season)
Net Rating (scoring margin per 100 possessions)
Nikola Jokic vs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Best Player Comparison)
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.
Which team is better positioned for the 2026 NBA Playoffs?
The Oklahoma City Thunder are significantly better positioned with a +5.6 net rating, 45-22 record, and 3rd seed status. Their elite 106.8 defensive rating combined with 112.4 offensive rating creates balanced playoff success. Houston's 3-game losing streak and 14th seed standing suggest they'll need 8-10 more wins to reach the playoffs at all.
Does Houston have a chance to catch up to OKC this season?
Yes, it's mathematically possible but unlikely. Houston trails by 7 wins with approximately 15 games remaining. They would need to win 70%+ of remaining games while OKC wins under 50%. Houston's stronger offensive rating (115.2 vs 112.4) is their advantage, but their defensive gap (5.3 points per 100 possessions worse) makes consistent winning difficult.
Who has the better defense, Rockets or Thunder?
The Oklahoma City Thunder have significantly superior defense with a 106.8 defensive rating ranking 1st in the NBA, while Houston's 112.1 rating ranks 22nd. This 5.3-point gap is substantial—it's equivalent to OKC forcing turnovers and defending perimeter shots at an elite level while Houston struggles with defensive consistency.
The Houston Rockets have a superior offense with a 115.2 offensive rating (Rockets rank 4th in PPG at 116.3) compared to Oklahoma City's 112.4 rating. Houston's 38.1% 3-point shooting is 2.4 percentage points better than OKC, showing they're more efficient from beyond the arc and in fast-break scenarios.
What are the playoff implications of the current standings?
Oklahoma City is locked into playoff position at the 3rd seed. Houston currently sits outside the playoff picture at 14th seed and would need to finish in the top 10 to make the playoffs. The play-in tournament (seeds 7-10) is Houston's realistic path if they cannot climb into the top 6. OKC could potentially move higher with continued wins.