Thunder Launch Championship Defense with Nail-Biting Double Overtime Win
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joined Oklahoma City in 2019.
The Thunder's star player delivered the winning baskets late in double overtime as the Oklahoma City Thunder started their NBA title defense with a 125-124 win over the Houston Rockets.
Last season's MVP poured in a team-high 35 points, including two from the free-throw line with just 2.3 seconds left in the second overtime, securing the titleholders a winning beginning.
Houston's Alperun Sengun led all scorers with a game-high 39 and also hit a personal-best five shots from beyond the arc.
But Chet Holmgren, who contributed 28 points of his own, was instrumental 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—shots, misses, fortune or misfortune. We did enough defensive work to get the win. We're pretty rusty, but it's a good start."
Before the game, the team's championship banner was unveiled at their home court, while the squad were awarded their championship rings.
Oklahoma City defeated the Indiana Pacers in the previous season's championship series. It was their maiden championship since the franchise relocated in 2008 to OKC from Seattle, who had won the 1979 title.
The Pacers will have the chance to get some early revenge on Friday when they face Oklahoma, 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 assists from the Slovenian star was not enough to stop his new team the Los Angeles Lakers from suffering a 119-109 defeat against the Warriors.
Jimmy Butler scored 31 points and Golden State's sharpshooter chipped in 23 points for the road team.
The Lakers were without the league's top scorer LeBron James as he recovers from sciatica.
