SB Nation • 3 min read

Houston Rockets vs. Atlanta Hawks preseason game preview

The Houston Rockets kick off their 2025-26 season tonight at home in a preseason matchup with the Atanta Hawks.

Both of these teams had what many considered to be great offseasons. You already know what Houston

did, but let’s briefly go over Atlanta’s moves.

First, they took advantage of Boston’s fire sale and traded for Kristaps Porzingis. That immediately gave them a stretch five to pair with Trae Young for the first time in his career. They also brought in Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard to provide shooting, which they lacked last season. The Hawks are hoping to take a big step into the vacuum that is the Eastern Conference. A top-4 finish is not too much of an ask.

Ime Udoka has said that he has four starters penciled in for this season, including Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr. The fifth starter was supposed to be Fred VanVleet, but he’s out for the season with an ACL tear. Instead, Udoka will rotate others in the fifth spot depending on matchups or until someone earns it. The obvious early candidate is Reed Sheppard, who would give Houston a bit more shooting and some ball-handling.

For now, it’s just nice to see some NBA basketball. We’ve made it, folks.