Thunder 0-3 heading into first game in Oklahoma

After three losses on a four-night Western state swing, Oklahoma City finally returns to the Sooner State to face the Houston Rockets at 7:30 p.m. on Monday in the new Bank of Oklahoma Center in downtown Tulsa.

Oklahoma City dropped a 122-102 decision to Golden State on Saturday night to drop to 0-3 in the preseason. Kevin Durant had 16 points and 14 rebounds for the Thunder, who shot just 38.6 percent from the floor. Damien Wilkins added 23 points, and Chris Wilcox chipped in 15 points and eight rebounds.

The night before, a low field goal shooting percentage (37.1) doomed the Thunder in a 94-85 loss at Sacramento.

Season kicks off in Montana with loss

Rashad McCants scored 13 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter and Minnesota hit consecutive 3-pointers late in the game as the Timberwolves posted an 88-82 win over Oklahoma City in the Thunder's NBA debut. OKC (0-1 preseason) was outscored 28-19 in the fourth quarter and was 1-for-5 from 3-point range. Damien Wilkins paced Oklahoma City with 19 points while Chris Wilcox chipped in 17 and rookie point guard Russell Westbrook added 13.

The game, played before 3,817 in Billings, Montana, was the first of a Western road swing that takes the Thunder to Sacramento and Golden State before returning to Oklahoma.

The first month of the Thunder's schedule

Like any other NBA team, it's important the Thunder gets off to a good start early in order to build some momentum and confidence. November certainly holds some challenges for the Thunder, including a home game with the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics on November 5 and back-to-back games with Phoenix (at home on November 25) and Cleveland (on the road on November 26). An interesting couple of days will also happen when the New Orleans Hornets pay their first visit back to OKC on November 21, then the Thunder travel to the Big Easy the next night for a quick rematch.

An interesting quirk ... the Thunder are on the road every Saturday in November.