Though the OKC Thunder come into the upcoming campaign as reigning NBA Champions, the addition of Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets this summer now means a shift in the balance of power out West may be upon us.
For a team that already secured the second seed last season and built its identity around one of the NBA’s stingiest defenses, bringing on a playoff-proven superstar isn’t just an upgrade, but a statement.
Houston was one of the toughest outs in the West, and Durant’s arrival gives them a go-to scorer with a championship pedigree, someone who has proven time and again that he can deliver in the biggest moments.
In 2025-26, will the former Thunder standout be the roadblock to championship number two?
Kevin Durant's fit in Houston will be major factor in Thunder repeat quest
The Thunder and Rockets battled every time they stepped on the court last season.
After winning three of their last five matchups, OKC holds a slight edge.
Of course, that was before Durant entered the picture.
OKC’s defensive scheme is built to eliminate transition looks, cuts, and catch-and-shoot threes, forcing opponents into isolation-heavy scoring.
Most teams struggle with that formula. Durant, however, is one of the most unstoppable isolation scorers in league history.
The Rockets also counter one of Oklahoma City’s biggest offensive strengths -- their ability to generate easy points in transition and through constant motion.
Few teams in the league thrive in the open floor the way OKC does, turning stops into quick buckets and punishing opponents with relentless rim pressure.
However, Houston has been one of the NBA’s best at shutting that down.
They finished near the top of the league in limiting fast-break points, while also stifling off-ball actions that typically lead to cuts, backdoor layups, or wide-open threes.
That presents a real concern for the Thunder, whose offensive identity is built around pace, attacking closeouts, and creating chaos with wave after wave of drives. Houston’s discipline forces teams out of that in exchange for low percentage shots.
But here’s the counterpoint: despite their elite defense, Houston quietly struggled in one-on-one situations, ranking the eighth lowest in isolation defenses in the league.
That’s tailor-made for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was the league's best high usage isolation scorer last season. If the MVP consistently generates points against single coverage, it could swing the matchup back in Oklahoma City’s favor.
Both teams mirror each other in philosophy: suffocating defense that creates instant offense in transition, paired with a superstar scorer who can reliably close games in the half-court.
The Rockets are absolutely a threat with Durant in the fold, but, for now, the numbers and continuity still lean toward the reigning champion Thunder.
Of course, the ultimate X-factor in deciding which of these teams winds up reigning supreme is which one of Kevin Durant or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can prove to be more unstoppable in a tense, strategic seven-game series.