Thunder Begin Championship Defense with Nail-Biting Double Overtime Triumph
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joined Oklahoma City back in 2019.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered the decisive points late in double overtime as the defending champions started their championship campaign with a 125-124 win over the Houston Rockets.
Last season's MVP scored 35 points, featuring two from the free-throw line with just 2.3 seconds left in the second overtime, giving the champions a winning beginning.
Houston's Alperun Sengun top-scored with a game-high 39 and also hit a personal-best five three-pointers.
But the Thunder's rookie, who contributed 28 points of his own, played a major role together with the game's hero.
"Grit and defence," SGA commented of their showing. "We know that when we execute on defence we give ourselves a opportunity no matter what's going on—makes, misses, good luck or misfortune. We did enough defence to secure the victory. We're pretty rusty, but it's a good start."
Before the tip-off, the team's title banner was raised at their home court, while the players were presented with their title rings.
Oklahoma City beat the Indiana Pacers in last season's best-of-seven NBA Finals. It was their first title since the team moved in 2008 to Oklahoma City from Seattle, who had won the 1979 crown.
Indiana will have the chance to secure some early revenge on this Friday when they host the Thunder, while the Houston return to action on the same day at the Pistons.
In other action, a massive effort of 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine dimes from the Slovenian star was not enough to prevent his current team the Los Angeles Lakers from suffering a 119-109 loss against the Golden State Warriors.
Jimmy Butler scored 31 points and Stephen Curry added 23 points for the visiting Warriors.
The Lakers were missing the NBA's all-time leading scorer LeBron James as he is recovering from sciatica.
