The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets have developed a compelling rivalry in the NBA over the years, marked by high drama, memorable moments, and a series of intense playoff matchups. While these two teams are based in neighboring states (Oklahoma and Texas), the rivalry goes far beyond geography—it has evolved due to player movement, coaching strategies, and several seasons of postseason battles that have shaped both franchises.
Origins of the Thunder vs Rockets Rivalry
Although not one of the NBA’s oldest rivalries, the Thunder-Rockets clash gained significance in the 2010s, largely due to the trajectory of both teams. The Oklahoma City Thunder, after relocating from Seattle and rebranding in 2008, quickly became a championship contender with a young core built around Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. The Houston Rockets, meanwhile, had been led by various star players, including Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, and during the 2010s, they were in the midst of building a contender around James Harden (who was traded to Houston in 2012).
The rivalry began to take shape as both teams vied for dominance in the Western Conference. However, it truly hit its peak during the 2010s, particularly with the rise of both teams as playoff teams, and their respective battles in the postseason.
Key Players in the Rivalry
Several marquee players have played pivotal roles in shaping the rivalry between the Thunder and the Rockets. Let's take a look at some of the key figures:
1. James Harden
One of the most significant figures in this rivalry is James Harden, who is linked to both franchises. Harden was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder as the 3rd overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft and was a key contributor during the team's run to the 2012 NBA Finals. However, after being traded to the Houston Rockets in a blockbuster deal in 2012, Harden became the centerpiece of Houston's offense, winning multiple MVP awards and leading the Rockets to perennial playoff contention.
Harden’s move to Houston created a natural tension between the two teams, as Thunder fans viewed him as one that got away. His eventual return to Oklahoma City as a member of the Rockets only heightened the animosity between the two teams. With Harden on both rosters during key moments, the individual matchups became an extension of his personal narrative in the NBA.
2. Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook, a long-time Thunder star, was the backbone of the Oklahoma City franchise after Durant’s departure in 2016. Westbrook's fiery competitive nature and high-energy style of play made him a perfect foil to Harden, especially after both players left Oklahoma City and went on to establish themselves as two of the NBA’s premier superstars. Westbrook’s time in Houston (2020) briefly aligned him with Harden in a unique duo before being traded again, adding another layer to the rivalry.
The rivalry escalated when Westbrook returned to Oklahoma City as a member of the Houston Rockets in 2020, intensifying the drama surrounding the battle between the two teams, especially since Westbrook had a long history with the Thunder franchise. That year’s matchups were marked by extra intensity, with the two stars facing off in what felt like personal duels.
3. Kevin Durant
Although Durant’s impact on the Thunder vs Rockets rivalry is less direct in recent years (he moved to the Golden State Warriors in 2016), his time with Oklahoma City—particularly in the 2013-2016 period—has had lasting effects. Durant's departure from OKC to Golden State, after a bitter 2016 Western Conference Finals loss to the Warriors, cast a long shadow on the rivalry. Durant's absence from the Thunder gave Houston an opportunity to assert dominance in the West, and with the two teams no longer competing at the same level, the rivalry took on a different tone.
However, Durant’s later matchups with the Rockets (especially when he played for the Brooklyn Nets) provided another layer of drama to the rivalry, with the two teams squaring off in a different context.
4. Other Key Players
Beyond these stars, a number of role players and coaches have added depth to the rivalry. For the Thunder, players like Steven Adams (center) and Jerami Grant (forward) have been key contributors in matchups against Houston. On the Rockets side, players like Clint Capela (center) and Eric Gordon (guard) were important in the team’s schemes. Coaches such as Mike D'Antoni (Rockets) and Billy Donovan (Thunder) also added strategic nuances to the rivalry, with D'Antoni's uptempo, three-point heavy offense contrasting against Donovan’s balanced and versatile schemes.
Notable Thunder vs Rockets Games and Playoff Series
1. 2013-14 Regular Season
In the 2013-14 season, the Thunder and Rockets had several thrilling regular season games, many of which went down to the wire. This period marked the early years of the rivalry, as both teams had championship aspirations. The Rockets’ high-scoring, fast-paced style of play presented a unique challenge for the Thunder, who relied on the dominance of Durant and Westbrook.
2. 2017-18 Western Conference First Round
One of the most significant playoff series in the Thunder vs Rockets rivalry came in the 2017-18 season, when the two teams squared off in the Western Conference first round. The Rockets, led by Harden and surrounded by shooters like Eric Gordon, PJ Tucker, and Clint Capela, were considered the favorites, finishing the regular season with a franchise-record 65 wins. The Thunder, on the other hand, were led by the dynamic duo of Westbrook and Paul George.
This series was an intense back-and-forth affair, with both teams fighting hard to advance. Houston ultimately won the series 4-1, but the Thunder managed to give them a tough challenge in multiple games. The series solidified Houston’s place as a top contender in the West while providing further fuel for the rivalry.
3. 2020 Playoff Bubble
In 2020, the two teams met in the first round of the NBA playoffs in the Orlando "bubble," which added an element of unpredictability to the series. The Rockets entered the playoffs as the 4th seed, while the Thunder, in a surprising turn of events, were the 5th seed after a rebuild that featured several young stars, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The series was highly competitive, with the Rockets ultimately prevailing 4-3 in a dramatic, hard-fought series. Westbrook, who had been injured for part of the series, returned for Game 7, but the Thunder showed that they were not a team to be taken lightly. It was a thrilling conclusion to a season marked by unexpected performances, and the series exemplified the grit and determination of both teams.
Team Strategies and Play Styles
Throughout the rivalry, both teams have employed different strategies. The Thunder, especially in the pre-Durant departure era, relied heavily on isolation plays and high pick-and-roll sets. Westbrook was the engine of their offense, with Durant serving as the primary scoring option. Post-Durant, the Thunder adapted by embracing a more balanced style, but the team still relied on the individual brilliance of players like Westbrook and later, Paul George.
On the other hand, the Rockets were one of the most analytically driven teams in the league, with Mike D'Antoni’s "small ball" philosophy and a heavy emphasis on three-point shooting. The Rockets, led by Harden, built their offense around isolating him at the top of the key, using high pick-and-roll sets and spreading the floor with shooters. The Rockets were known for taking a high volume of threes and being a perimeter-oriented team, which often put them at odds with the Thunder’s more traditional, interior-focused style.
Conclusion
While the Thunder vs Rockets rivalry is not as historically deep as some of the NBA’s other classic rivalries, it has had its moments of intensity and drama, particularly in the 2010s. With superstars like James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Durant all playing significant roles, the rivalry continues to be a compelling narrative for both teams' fanbases. As both franchises evolve, with the Thunder in a rebuilding phase and the Rockets aiming to get back into contention, the potential for future matchups that rekindle this rivalry remains high.
The Thunder and Rockets have given fans some unforgettable moments, and the rivalry’s next chapter promises more high-stakes drama, star-powered performances, and intense competition as both teams aim to reclaim their positions among the NBA elite.
