Oklahoma City Thunder Launch Title Defense with Thrilling Double Overtime Win
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joined the Thunder in 2019.
The Thunder's star player scored the decisive baskets deep into double overtime as the defending champions opened their NBA title defense with a 125-124 victory over the Houston Rockets.
The reigning MVP scored a team-high 35 points, including two from the free-throw line with just 2.3 seconds left in double OT, giving the champions a positive start.
Houston's Alperun Sengun top-scored with 39 points and also connected on a career-high five shots from beyond the arc.
But Chet Holmgren, who added 28 points of his own, played a major role alongside match-winner Gilgeous-Alexander.
"Determination and defense," SGA commented of their performance. "We know that when we do it defensively we give ourselves a chance no matter what's going on—shots, misses, fortune or misfortune. We did enough defence to get the win. We're pretty rusty, but it's a good start."
Before the tip-off, Oklahoma's title banner was unveiled at their home court, while the players were awarded their championship rings.
The Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers in the previous season's best-of-seven NBA Finals. It was their maiden championship since the team moved in 2008 to OKC from Seattle, who had won the 1979 title.
Indiana will have the opportunity to get some payback on this Friday when they host Oklahoma, while the Houston return to action on the same day at the Pistons.
Elsewhere, a huge performance of 43 points, 12 boards and nine assists from the Slovenian star was not enough to stop his new team the Los Angeles Lakers from falling to a 119-109 loss against the Warriors.
Miami's star scored 31 points and Golden State's sharpshooter chipped in 23 for the road team.
The Lakers were without the NBA's all-time leading scorer LeBron James as he recovers from sciatica.
