Thunder Begin Championship Defense with Thrilling Double Overtime Victory
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joined the Thunder back in 2019.
The Thunder's star player delivered the decisive points late in a second overtime period as the defending champions started their NBA title defense with a 125-124 victory over the Houston Rockets.
Last season's MVP scored a team-high 35 points, featuring two from the free-throw line with just 2.3 seconds remaining in the second overtime, securing the champions a winning beginning.
The Rockets' big man top-scored with a game-high 39 and also connected on a career-high five shots from beyond the arc.
But Chet Holmgren, who contributed 28 points, played a major role alongside the game's hero.
"Grit and defense," SGA said of their showing. "We know that when we do it defensively we give ourselves a opportunity no matter what's going on—shots, missed attempts, good luck or misfortune. We did sufficient defence to secure the victory. We're still shaking off rust, but it's a positive beginning."
Prior to the game, the team's title banner was raised at their home court, while the squad were presented with their championship rings.
Oklahoma City defeated the Indiana Pacers in last season's championship series. It was their first title since the team moved in 2008 to OKC from Seattle, who had claimed the 1979 crown.
Indiana will have the opportunity to get some early revenge on Friday when they face Oklahoma, while the Rockets are back on court on the identical day at the Detroit Pistons.
Elsewhere, a massive performance of 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine dimes from Luka Doncic was insufficient to stop his new team the Lakers from falling to a 119-109 loss against the Golden State Warriors.
Miami's star scored 31 points and Golden State's sharpshooter chipped in 23 for the road team.
The Lakers were missing the NBA's all-time leading scorer James as he is recovering from a back issue.
