Thunder Face Rockets as Playoff Race Intensifies in Oklahoma City

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Oklahoma City Thunder, led by All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, welcome the Houston Rockets for a key matchup on March 3 amidst a competitive Western Conference.

With a league-best record of 49-11, the Thunder emerge as strong favorites for the 2025 NBA Finals, while the Rockets aim to close the gap following an improved season, showing a 37-23 record compared to their 41-41 finish last year.

The game presents a vital opportunity for the Rockets to test their growth, but injuries may limit their effectiveness. Veteran guard Fred VanVleet, instrumental in a previous game against the Thunder, is out due to injury, as are several other key players including Alperen Sengun and Dillon Brooks.

“We’re looking at prioritizing our next game against Indiana over this one, especially without VanVleet,” said a Rockets source. “Health is crucial right now.”

The Rockets, currently fifth in the Western Conference, face a Thunder team eager to regain momentum after struggling defensively in recent weeks. Oklahoma City is also managing fatigue, coming off a victory against the San Antonio Spurs the previous night.

The Rockets’ Jalen Green is expected to play despite limited support from his teammates. Earlier this season, he averaged just 11.7 points per game in matchups against the Thunder, shooting below average percentages. “The absence of multiple starters certainly affects our strategy,” said Green.

The Thunder, boasting a record of 8-2 in their last ten games, aim to leverage their home court advantage, where they typically amplify their shooting performance. The expected betting line favors Oklahoma City at -10.5, with an over/under of 226.5 points.

“Each game is crucial as we head toward the playoffs. We need to rectify our defensive struggles,” said Thunder coach Ime Udoka, emphasizing the importance of the game.

Similar to their previous matchups this season, which the Thunder lead 2-1, Oklahoma City aims to execute plays effectively, notably from beyond the arc. The last time the teams faced off, VanVleet’s standout performance provided the Rockets only win, scoring 38 points.

The matchup against the Rockets offers the Thunder a critical chance to bolster their playoff seeding ahead of their upcoming game against the Memphis Grizzlies!

The game is slated to start at 8 PM CT at Paycom Center, with both teams looking to solidify their positions in the Western Conference.