The schedule for the 2026-2027 full regular season will be officially released on August 13. However, some of the key dates and events have already been released. This includes the matchups of the opening week.
The Houston Rockets will play their opening game of the regular season against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, October 23, 2026, at the Moody Center.The Moody Center is located in Austin, Texas, which provides an advantage for the Rockets because it is where Kevin Durant began his collegiate career.
Durant played his freshman year of collegiate basketball for the University of Texas, the Texas Longhorns. Although he played only a single season for the Texas Longhorns, he still maintains a strong bond with them because of his impressive performances. Durant played for the Texas Longhorns in the 2006-2007 season and became the first freshman to win every national player of the year award.
His year with them is still regarded as one of the most dominant campaigns by an individual player across the history of the entirety of college basketball. Durant played 35 games and averaged 25.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, to go along with 1.9 steals and 1.9 blocks per game. Durant shot 40.4% from three-point range, and broke the single-season scoring record by accruing 903 total points.
Durant’s connection with the school did not end after his legendary season. Durant actively visits the college and even mentors players at the college. One year after winning the 2017 NBA Finals MVP, Durant donated an incredible$3 million to the University of Texas, of which $2.5 million was allocated to Texas Basketball.
Durant continues to support and improve the college, and launched the NIL program in March 2026. The Name, Image, and Likeness program works with Longhorn athletes. One way it does so is via exclusive product endorsements.
Although Durant’s and Houston's first game of the upcoming season at the Moody Center will technically list San Antonio as the home team, the crowd will be largely in support of Durant and, therefore, Houston. Durant has such a huge following that the environment might feel like Houston is the actual home team.
Last season, the Spurs won three out of the four games against the Rockets, including winning both of their home games. However, none of the games were played at the Moody Center in Austin. In what will be one of the biggest games of the season for the Rockets, will the support for Durant give Houston the advantage?
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