Rockets and Hawks fans, the wait for NBA action is over—but for Houston faithful dreaming of Kevin Durant’s first bucket in red, it’s just a tease. On this electric October 7, 2025, night at Toyota Center, the Houston Rockets tip off their preseason slate against the Atlanta Hawks without their superstar acquisition, who’s sidelined for load management or minor tweaks ahead of the regular season grind. Instead, expect a youth-fueled showcase from a starting lineup of Reed Sheppard at point, Amen Thompson’s athleticism, Tari Eason’s grit, Jabari Smith Jr.’s versatility, and Alperen Şengün anchoring the paint. The Rockets, projected as a top-5 West contender after landing KD in that wild seven-team mega-trade this summer, are buzzing with potential—but tonight’s about chemistry, not coronation. Over in Atlanta’s camp, the Hawks are reloaded and ready to rumble in a wide-open East, with eyes glued to Kristaps Porziņģis’ Hawks debut and rookie Asa Newell’s first taste of big-league action alongside Trae Young. This preseason clash isn’t just tune-up fodder—it’s a sneak peek at two teams gunning for noise. Let’s unpack the storylines, key matchups, and why this game’s got Dub Nation… wait, make that Rocket and Hawk Nation hooked from jump ball.
First, the heartbreak for Houston: No KD sighting. The 15-time All-Star, fresh off that historic July blockbuster where the Suns shipped him (plus $54.7 million in salary) for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick (Khaman Maluach), and a haul of seconds in a seven-team frenzy involving the Hawks, Lakers, Wolves, Warriors, and Nets, turned 37 just last week and is already hinting at a long-term extension. Durant himself teased on September 29 that a two-year, $120M+ deal “will get done,” fitting seamlessly as the half-court surgeon the Rockets craved after their 2024-25 playoff push. But with the regular season opener looming on October 22, Ime Udoka’s prioritizing health—Durant’s injury history (that Achilles tear still looms) means easing him in. Without him, tonight’s starters scream “next-gen takeover.” Rookie sensation Reed Sheppard, the No. 3 pick who lit up Summer League with 20+ PPG on 50% from deep, slides in at PG for his sharpshooting and poise. Amen Thompson (2023 No. 4 overall) brings elite wing athleticism (1.3 SPG last year), Tari Eason’s a rebounding bulldog (7.0 RPG off the bench), Jabari Smith Jr. (two-way stud at 13.7 PPG, 38% 3PT) stretches the floor, and Şengün—fresh off a EuroBasket runner-up MVP run for Turkey (18.5 PPG, 9.2 RPG)—is the paint wizard (21.1 PPG, 9.3 RPG last season). This group’s got speed, size, and switchability, but questions linger: Can Sheppard’s inexperience hold up against Trae? Will Şengün’s post dominance test Atlanta’s revamped frontcourt? Projections have Houston as a 52-win beast, but without Durant closing games, expect growing pains—and maybe a few Şengün lobs to Thompson for highlight-reel magic.
Flip to Atlanta, where the hype train is full steam ahead in a conference that’s anyone’s guess post-Celtics’ fire sale. The Hawks, fresh off snagging Kristaps Porziņģis in that June three-team deal with Boston and Brooklyn (sending Georges Niang, Terance Mann, and the No. 22 pick Drake Powell the other way), are built to contend now. Porziņģis, the 7-2 Unicorn who torched nets at 19.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.5 BPG on a blistering .412 3PT% last year (25th in the league, tops among 7-footers save KAT), is the X-factor fans crave most. He tied his career-high with eight threes twice in 2024-25 (Jan. 29 vs. Chicago, April 8 at Knicks)—the only 7-footer with multiple such games, and now owns four career eights, a league first for his height. Paired with Trae Young (26.5 PPG, 10.8 APG), this pick-and-pop nightmare could unlock Atlanta’s offense, which ranked 12th in 3PA last year but needs rim protection after Clint Capela’s exit in the Durant shuffle. Porziņģis spoke to Atlanta media on September 29, gushing about elevating the young core: “Trae’s experience plus my gunpowder? We’re lighting it up.” Health’s the bugaboo—he missed 20+ games last year—but if he’s the stretch-five stopper (career 1.8 BPG), Hawks could leap from play-in purgatory to top-4 seed.
Then there’s Jalen Johnson, the 23-year-old wing whose 2024-25 ascent (16.0 PPG, 8.7 RPG, All-Defensive buzz) was cruelly halted by a season-ending shoulder injury in a March loss to Toronto. Pre-injury, he was All-Star bound, slashing to the rim at 61% efficiency and guarding 1-4. Now healthy, Johnson’s the glue—versatile defender (1.6 SPG) who fits seamlessly with Dyson Daniels (last year’s MIP) and Zaccharie Risacher (No. 1 pick). Expect him hunting switches against Houston’s young wings, potentially exploding for 20+ if Porziņģis draws doubles. Hawks GM Onsi Saleh called him “our ceiling-raiser” at media day.
Rounding out the must-sees: Rookie Asa Newell, the Georgia Bulldog phenom snagged at No. 23 (via trade with New Orleans for the 2026 Pelicans/Bucks pick) after a freshman masterpiece (15.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 54% FG). The Atlanta native, a five-star Montverde alum and SEC All-Freshman, stayed local in a draft-night swap, signing his rookie deal July 3. Summer League flashes (12.5 PPG, elite offensive rebounding) hint at lob-finishing upside next to Young, but his role’s murky on a contender—third big behind Porziņģis and Onyeka Okongwu? Power forward versatility? Newell told media September 29: “PF long-term, but versatility’s my game—beauty of basketball.” As a 6-10 bruiser with switch potential, he’s raw but toolsy; tonight’s his first crack running with starters, perfect for spotting if he’s the steal who bolsters Atlanta’s glass (ranked 20th last year).
Matchups to watch: Trae vs. Sheppard—playmaking wizardry meets rookie poise. Porziņģis-Şengün battle in the paint: Stretch vs. craft. Johnson’s athleticism could feast on Eason/Smith. Previews peg Houston as -7.5 favorites (total 216.5), but with both squads gelling new pieces (Hawks added Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luke Kennard for shooting), expect fireworks—maybe 115-108 Rockets in a feel-good opener. For fans, it’s validation: Rockets’ youth + Durant blueprint vs. Hawks’ Trae-Porziņģis vision.
Tonight’s Hawks-Rockets preseason tilt is the appetizer to a feast of seasons—Houston’s KD-less squad tests their depth, while Atlanta unleashes Porziņģis’ unicorn magic, Johnson’s comeback fire, and Newell’s local-boy spark. Both teams enter as dark horses (Rockets West elites, Hawks East wild cards), but this game’s about vibes: Chemistry clicks? Stars shine? Win or lose, it’s the spark that ignites October madness. Who ya got—Houston’s young guns or Atlanta’s reloaded reload? Drop your predictions, score guesses, and player props below—tag a fellow fan, and let’s pack the comments like Toyota Center!