Houston opened its 2025-26 chapter with a 122-113 preseason win over Atlanta, but Kevin Durant sat as Udoka tests rotations without VanVleet. Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson ran the backcourt while Alperen Şengün controlled the offense in a double-big look with Steven Adams and Clint Capela. Jabari Smith Jr. flashed size, drive and improved ball-handling as Houston pushes pace and playmaking ahead of regular-season rotations.