Image Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Rockets-Thunder Rivalry- Exploring the History of Rockets and Thunder Rivalry, Overall Head to Head Records and More

A complete breakdown of Rockets-Thunder rivalry.

Image Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The Rockets and Thunder rivalry, which is though not ancient as some NBA classics, but share division ties, blockbuster trades and high-stake playoff battles. The Thunder franchise, which includes the Seattle Supersonics’ legacy since 1967, has faced the Rockets since their inception, when they were known as the San Diego Rockets.

Once the Thunder relocated to OKC, the feud between the teams intensified with player transfers such as James Harden’s trade from Thunder to Rockets in 2012. As of now, the OKC Thunder are defending champions while the Rockets are now bolstered by Kevin Durant’s acquisition. The teams are now looking forward to locking horns in the season opener on October 21.

In this article, we will dive into how the rivalry between both teams evolved, their all-time records, current dynamics, and more.

Origin of the Rivalry Between Houston Rockets and OKC Thunder

The origin of the rivalry between the Rockets and the Thunder dates back to the 1960s, when the Rockets were established and the latter joined the NBA as an expansion team. The early encounters between both the teams were infrequent. However, their rivalry intensified in the 1980s and 1990s as both teams locked horns in heated playoff series including the 1982 Western Conference First Round and the 1987 Conference Semifinals, both the series where the Thunder won.

In the modern-era NBA, their rivalry ignited in 2012, when James Harden, a key piece of the NBA Finals, was traded to Houston. Apart from him, Russell Westbrook also joined the Rockets following his trade in 2019, while Kevin Durant, took a scenic route and went from being one of the most beloved characters in the league to being a hated man in Oklahoma City. He is now a Rocket, but it’s been long enough since Harden and Westbrook left Houston.

The transition from having big three to their current championship roster, the transition didn’t come easy for the Thunder. They started recovering the assets from 2017 when they acquired Paul George. In sending him to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Thunder received their future icon, and the undisputed GOAT, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder Head to Head Record

The Oklahoma City Thunder hold a slight edge over the Houston Rockets, including their Seattle Supersonics era. Up until the 2024-25 season, they have played 292 games overall (regular season and playoffs), with OKC at 152 wins as compared to Houston’s 140 overall wins. In the regular season alone, the Thunder have a 124-119 edge over their rivals.

In the playoff meetings as well, the Thunder maintain a 28-21 edge over the Rockets across nine series. Their most-recent playoff meeting came during the 2020 Western Conference First Round, where the Rockets took down the Thunder in a seven-game series.

Considering the close and intense rivalry, one can expect high-scoring affairs in the upcoming season, powered by the firepower and elite defense from both teams. With young players at core and veteran additions, one can expect the Rockets-Thunder rivalry to get redefined in the upcoming years.

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Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.