The San Antonio Spurs host the Houston Rockets in an NBA Regular Season matchup on Friday, October 23, 2026, at the Moody Center in Austin. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. local time at the arena), with live broadcast coverage available on Prime Video.
Both franchises enter their second game of the 2026-27 regular season after contrasting results in their opening matchups. The defending Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs hold a 0-1 record following a 116-104 home defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday (20). The Houston Rockets arrive at 1-0 after defeating the Dallas Mavericks 128-110 on Wednesday (21). This contest also serves as the first of three home games the San Antonio Spurs will play in Austin during the current campaign as part of the I-35 Series, an annual set of regular-season games hosted along the Interstate 35 corridor. Last season, San Antonio won the four-game series between the two Texas rivals 3-1, taking the final two meetings by scores of 111-99 and 145-120.
Where to watch San Antonio Spurs vs Houston Rockets live
Fans in the United States can follow the NBA Regular Season game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets through the following broadcast option:
- Prime Video (streaming)
Start time and venue for San Antonio Spurs vs Houston Rockets
The scheduling and location details for the matchup at the University of Texas campus are listed below:
- Date: Friday, October 23, 2026
- Start time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. CT (local arena time)
- Venue: Moody Center, in Austin
- Competition and stage: NBA — Regular Season
Read also: San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder: where to watch live and start time (NBA, Oct 20)
How the San Antonio Spurs arrive
Coached by Mitch Johnson, the San Antonio Spurs rely on a core of main players and early-season starters that includes Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper, alongside roster contributors Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson. In the season-opening loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Castle led the team in scoring with 24 points. Wembanyama grabbed 13 rebounds despite converting just 1 of 13 field goal attempts, while the starting point guard recorded 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists.
On the official injury report, forward Tobias Harris (left calf strain) and rookie Jayden Quaintance (right knee surgery recovery) are confirmed out for Friday’s game. The starting point guard is listed as questionable due to a right wrist sprain. Reserve forward Keldon Johnson, winner of the 2026 Sixth Man of the Year award (given to the league’s best reserve player), is also questionable after suffering a mouth laceration that required stitches following a collision with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the opener. “It was a really deep cut,” Keldon Johnson said regarding the injury. With the active statuses of the two players pending, head coach Mitch Johnson is expected to finalize the starting lineup during the pregame warmup.
How the Houston Rockets arrive
Led by head coach Ime Udoka, the Houston Rockets open their road schedule after a 128-110 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Forward Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. paced the offense in the opener with 30 points apiece, with Durant shooting 62.5% from the field. Center Alperen Sengun contributed 23 points, starting point guard Fred VanVleet distributed 11 assists, and Amen Thompson collected 10 rebounds. The trip to the Moody Center also marks a return to the University of Texas campus for Durant, who played college basketball for the Longhorns before entering the NBA.
Houston’s injury report lists two reserve players as questionable for the contest in Austin: center Steven Adams, who is dealing with right calf soreness and stiffness, and guard Reed Sheppard, who has a left knee contusion. Head coach Ime Udoka will determine the final rotation prior to tip-off.
Officiating for San Antonio Spurs vs Houston Rockets
The officiating crew for San Antonio Spurs vs Houston Rockets had not been announced prior to publication, as the NBA releases referee assignments only hours before tip-off.
Head-to-head history and next game for the San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs held a 3-1 advantage over the Houston Rockets across their four meetings in the 2025-26 season, winning the last two matchups 111-99 and 145-120. Following Friday’s game in Austin, the San Antonio Spurs will travel to face the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday (24). The next scheduled opponent for the Houston Rockets was not detailed in the official pregame notes.
