Oklahoma City Thunder Launch Title Defense with Nail-Biting Double Overtime Victory
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came to Oklahoma City in 2019.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored the decisive baskets late in a second overtime period as the Oklahoma City Thunder opened their championship campaign with a narrow victory over the visiting Rockets.
Last season's MVP scored 35 points, including two from the free-throw line with just 2.3 seconds left in the second overtime, giving the titleholders a positive start.
Houston's Alperun Sengun top-scored with 39 points and also connected on a career-high five shots from beyond the arc.
But Chet Holmgren, who contributed 28 points of his own, played a major role alongside the game's hero.
"Determination and defense," SGA said of their performance. "We know that when we execute defensively we give ourselves a opportunity no matter what's going on—shots, misses, good luck or bad luck. We did sufficient defence to get the win. We're pretty rusty, but it's a good start."
Prior to the game, 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 the previous season's best-of-seven NBA Finals. It was their first title since the team relocated in 2008 to OKC from Seattle, who had won the 1979 crown.
Indiana will have the opportunity to secure some payback on Friday when they face Oklahoma, while the Rockets return to action on the same day at the Pistons.
In other action, a massive performance of 43 points, 12 boards and nine assists from the Slovenian star was insufficient to stop his current team the Lakers from falling to a 119-109 loss against the Warriors.
Miami's star picked up 31 points and Stephen Curry chipped in 23 points for the road team.
The Lakers were missing the league's top scorer LeBron James as he recovers from sciatica.
