Opening Night for the Oklahoma City Thunder looms as a ceremonial pillar of continuity and defense of a title, with banners dropping and rings being handed out as the team hosts the Houston Rockets. The Thunder’s depth remains intact, a core that keeps them among the league’s top contenders while they chase another championship. A second pregame ring moment is planned after the opener, underscoring the franchise’s pride in its repeat-ready lineup.

Dillon Jones, formerly with OKC, is back in the headlines as he’s slated to receive his championship ring during a visit by Washington to Oklahoma City on Oct. 30. Jones won a ring with the Thunder after a brief rookie season and a salary-dump trade, and now aims for rotation minutes with the Wizards during a rebuild. For fantasy managers, Jones’ return to action and potential minutes in a new role are the key late-season spark to monitor, set against a Thunder squad that remains the favorite to contend this season.