Oklahoma City Thunder Launch Championship Defense with Dramatic Double Overtime Win
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joined Oklahoma City in 2019.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored the decisive points deep into double overtime as the defending champions started their championship campaign with a narrow win over the Houston Rockets.
Last season's MVP scored a team-high 35 points, featuring two clutch free throws with just 2.3 seconds left in the second overtime, securing the champions a winning beginning.
The Rockets' big man led all scorers with 39 points and also hit 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.
"Grit and defence," SGA said of their performance. "We know that when we do it on defence we give ourselves a chance no matter what's going on—makes, missed attempts, good luck or bad luck. We did enough defence to secure the victory. We're still shaking off rust, but it's a positive beginning."
Before the game, the team's championship banner was unveiled at their home court, while the players were awarded their title rings.
Oklahoma City defeated 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 chance to get some payback on this Friday when they face the Thunder, while the Houston return to action on the identical day at the Pistons.
Elsewhere, a huge performance of 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists from Luka Doncic was insufficient to prevent his current team the Los Angeles Lakers from falling to a 119-109 loss against the Warriors.
Miami's star picked up 31 points and Stephen Curry added 23 points for the visiting Warriors.
The Lakers were without the league's top scorer James as he recovers from sciatica.
