How to Watch Thunder vs. Rockets on DIRECTV: Tip-Off Time, NBA TV Channel and Streaming
The Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Houston Rockets on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 8:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. in Houston and Oklahoma City) at Toyota Center, and the game airs nationally on NBA TV, DIRECTV channel 216.
DIRECTV lists NBA TV on channel 216. Fans in Houston and across Thunder territory also get each team's local broadcast, and Oklahoma City and Tulsa viewers can watch this one free over the air. Here's every way to watch and what to know before the game.
Thunder vs. Rockets: quick facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, October 31, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 8:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. CT) |
| National TV | NBA TV |
| DIRECTV channel | NBA TV, channel 216 |
| Local TV | Space City Home Network (Rockets); Thunder Gameday Network on KSBI, KQCW and the KWTV-9/KOTV-6 simulcast (Thunder) |
| Arena | Toyota Center, Houston |
| Game type | Regular season; second game of NBA TV's Saturday doubleheader |
What channel is Thunder vs. Rockets on DIRECTV?
Thunder-Rockets is on NBA TV, channel 216, everywhere in the country. NBA TV is included with DIRECTV CHOICE, ULTIMATE and PREMIER, and with the MySports Genre Pack. It isn't part of ENTERTAINMENT, so customers on that package won't see the game on 216 unless they upgrade.
Here's how to tune in:
- On DIRECTV satellite or DIRECTV via internet: press Guide and go to channel 216, or search "Thunder" or "Rockets" on game night.
- On a DIRECTV Gemini device: NBA TV is in the live guide on 216 with any package that includes it.
- On the go: sign in to the DIRECTV app on a phone or tablet to stream NBA TV where your package allows it.
NBA TV's Saturday doubleheader starts at 6 p.m. ET with the Philadelphia 76ers at the Charlotte Hornets, so Thunder-Rockets follows on the same channel.
Is Thunder vs. Rockets on local TV?
Yes, in each team's home territory. In Houston, the Rockets' broadcast is on Space City Home Network, a regional sports network that comes with DIRECTV CHOICE and higher where DIRECTV carries it in your ZIP code, and it streams on SCHN+ with its own subscription.
For Thunder fans, the game is on the Thunder Gameday Network. On DIRECTV in Oklahoma City it's on KSBI, channel 52, and in Tulsa on KQCW, channel 19. This is also one of four Thunder games simulcast free over the air on KWTV-9 in Oklahoma City and KOTV-6 in Tulsa, which come with DIRECTV packages that include local channels. Elsewhere in the Thunder's five-state region, the team says its games are on DIRECTV channel 675 with CHOICE. Thunder+ in the NBA app streams the local broadcast in that region with its own subscription.
Can I watch Thunder vs. Rockets on NBA League Pass?
League Pass is built for out-of-market local games, so it's a good add-on for Thunder or Rockets fans who live outside their team's region on nights without national TV. For this game, NBA TV on channel 216 is the simplest way to watch on DIRECTV. If you want a team broadcast through League Pass, check the game page in the NBA app on game day. See our NBA League Pass plans and prices guide for tiers.
Thunder vs. Rockets: where to watch at a glance
| Option | How it works with DIRECTV | Carries this game? |
|---|---|---|
| NBA TV (216) | DIRECTV channel, CHOICE and higher plus MySports | Yes, nationally |
| Space City Home Network | Regional sports network, CHOICE and higher where carried | Yes, Rockets' home market |
| KSBI (52) and KQCW (19) | Thunder Gameday Network stations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa | Yes, Thunder's home market |
| KWTV-9 and KOTV-6 | Free local stations, on DIRECTV local channels | Yes, Oklahoma City and Tulsa simulcast |
| Channel 675 | Thunder regional channel, CHOICE, outside Oklahoma City and Tulsa | Yes, Thunder's five-state region |
| SCHN+ and Thunder+ apps | Separate team streaming subscriptions | Yes, each team's region only |
| ESPN (206), local NBC, Peacock app, Prime Video | DIRECTV channels or streaming apps | No national telecast |
Thunder and Rockets on national TV: opening weeks
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | National TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue., Oct. 20 | Thunder at Spurs (final: Thunder 116, Spurs 104) | 9:30 p.m. | NBC and Peacock |
| Thu., Oct. 22 | Nuggets at Thunder | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN (206) |
| Fri., Oct. 23 | Rockets vs. Spurs (Austin) | 9:30 p.m. | Prime Video (app) |
| Wed., Oct. 28 | Thunder at Mavericks | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN (206) |
| Sat., Oct. 31 | Thunder at Rockets | 8:30 p.m. | NBA TV (216) |
Prime Video games stream in that app, which needs its own Amazon subscription and runs on DIRECTV Gemini devices. Team-by-team local channels, League Pass details and the full national schedule are in our guide to watching the NBA on DIRECTV.
Which DIRECTV package is best for Thunder and Rockets fans?
- ENTERTAINMENT: includes ESPN (206) and ESPN2 (209) for national ESPN games, plus local channels where available, including KWTV-9 and KOTV-6 for this game. It doesn't include NBA TV.
- CHOICE: adds NBA TV (216) for games like this one, plus regional sports networks like Space City Home Network and the Thunder's channel 675 where DIRECTV carries them.
- MySports Genre Pack: a sports-focused streaming option with ESPN, NBA TV and local channels where available.
Need NBA TV before Halloween? Check DIRECTV options at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
What time is Thunder vs. Rockets on October 31?
Tip-off is 8:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. CT) on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Toyota Center in Houston.
What channel is Thunder vs. Rockets on DIRECTV?
NBA TV, channel 216, which comes with DIRECTV CHOICE and higher packages and with MySports. In Houston it's also on Space City Home Network. In Oklahoma it's on KSBI (52) and KQCW (19), with a free simulcast on KWTV-9 and KOTV-6.
Is Thunder vs. Rockets on ESPN?
No. It's an NBA TV game. The Thunder's ESPN games in the first two weeks are Nuggets at Thunder on Thursday, Oct. 22, and Thunder at Mavericks on Wednesday, Oct. 28, both on channel 206.
Can I watch Thunder vs. Rockets for free over the air?
In Oklahoma City and Tulsa, yes. The Thunder scheduled this game as one of four simulcasts on KWTV-9 and KOTV-6. Everywhere else, watch on NBA TV, channel 216.
Questions about getting NBA TV or your team's network on DIRECTV? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 22, 2026. Tip times, TV assignments and broadcast plans are set by the NBA, its teams and their TV partners and may change. Player availability is often announced close to tip-off. Local channel availability, channel numbers, packages and prices vary by address and are subject to change. NBA, NBA TV, NBA League Pass, ESPN, NBC, Peacock, Prime Video, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.