Thunder's Thin Preseason Rotation Faces Sengun and the Rockets in Houston

Houston's clear centerpiece and a possibly shorthanded Oklahoma City give the Rockets the edge in this preseason game.

OKC @ HOU Oct 16, 2026 at 12:30 AM UTC

Thursday's preseason meeting at Toyota Center (8:30 p.m. EDT, NBA TV) comes with plenty of uncertainty on both sides. The biggest question is Oklahoma City's rotation. Chet Holmgren, who is listed with a quadriceps issue, is questionable, as are Williams and Topić. If all three sit, the Thunder will lean even harder on players still earning their place.

That matters because the Thunder traded Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins in the offseason, which opened minutes for rookies. Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz have impressed in the preseason and should see bigger roles. They will likely get a long look here. Oklahoma City also rested nearly all of its returning rotation for its game against Atlanta, with Mark Daigneault managing back-to-backs so players are ready for the next game against Indiana. Another cautious approach to veteran minutes would leave the Thunder leaning on inexperience against a Houston group with a clearer hierarchy.

The Rockets have their own uncertainty. Kevin Durant is questionable for a non-injury reason, and Adams and VanVleet are questionable for rest. Even so, Houston has a reliable anchor in Alperen Sengun, the two-time All-Star expected to lead the team's push for a championship. If the supporting cast shifts around him, he gives the Rockets a steady offensive hub. They also have the comfort of playing at home.

Preseason results are rarely decisive, but the matchup favors the team with the more stable core. Houston's lineup may be unsettled, but Oklahoma City's potential absences and reliance on rookies look like the bigger disadvantage. I expect the Rockets to pull away late behind Sengun and the home crowd. Prediction: Rockets 109, Thunder 101.

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