Thunder Begin Championship Defense with Nail-Biting Double Overtime Triumph
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joined Oklahoma City in 2019.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored the decisive baskets deep into a second overtime period as the Oklahoma City Thunder opened their NBA title defense with a 125-124 victory over the Houston Rockets.
Last season's MVP poured in 35 points, including two from the free-throw line with just 2.3 seconds remaining in the second overtime, giving the champions a winning beginning.
Houston's Alperun Sengun top-scored with a game-high 39 and also connected on a career-high five shots from beyond the arc.
But the Thunder's rookie, who added 28 points, was instrumental alongside match-winner Gilgeous-Alexander.
"Grit and defense," Gilgeous-Alexander commented of their performance. "We know that when we execute defensively we give ourselves a opportunity no matter what's going on—shots, misses, fortune or misfortune. We did sufficient defence to secure the victory. We're pretty rusty, but it's a good start."
Before the game, Oklahoma's championship banner was raised at their arena, while the players were presented with their title rings.
The Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers in the previous season's best-of-seven NBA Finals. It was their maiden championship since the franchise moved in 2008 to Oklahoma City from Seattle, who had won the 1979 title.
The Pacers will have the opportunity to get some early revenge on Friday when they host Oklahoma, while the Rockets are back on court on the same day at the Detroit Pistons.
Elsewhere, a huge effort of 43 points, 12 boards and nine assists from the Slovenian star was not enough to prevent his current team the Lakers from suffering a 119-109 loss against the Golden State Warriors.
Jimmy Butler picked up 31 points and Stephen Curry chipped in 23 for the visiting Warriors.
Los Angeles were missing the NBA's all-time leading scorer LeBron James as he recovers from a back issue.
