Thunder Kick Off Championship Defense with Thrilling Double Overtime Victory
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came to the Thunder back in 2019.
The Thunder's star player delivered the decisive points late in a second overtime period as the defending champions opened their NBA title defense with a 125-124 win over the Houston Rockets.
Last season's MVP scored a team-high 35 points, featuring two from the free-throw line with just mere seconds left in the second overtime, giving the titleholders a positive start.
The Rockets' big man top-scored with 39 points and also hit a personal-best five shots from beyond the arc.
But the Thunder's rookie, who added 28 points, played a major role alongside the game's hero.
"Determination and defence," SGA said of their showing. "We know that when we execute on defence we give ourselves a opportunity no matter what's going on—makes, missed attempts, fortune or bad luck. We did enough defence to get the win. We're pretty rusty, but it's a positive beginning."
Before the tip-off, the team's championship banner was unveiled at their arena, while the players were awarded their title rings.
The Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers in the previous season's championship series. It was their maiden championship since the team relocated in 2008 to Oklahoma City from Seattle, who had won the 1979 title.
The Pacers will have the opportunity to secure some payback on Friday when they face Oklahoma, while the Houston are back on court on the same day at the Detroit Pistons.
Elsewhere, a massive performance of 43 points, 12 boards and nine assists from the Slovenian star was insufficient to prevent his new team the Lakers from suffering a 119-109 defeat against the Golden State Warriors.
Jimmy Butler scored 31 points and Stephen Curry added 23 for the road team.
Los Angeles were without the NBA's all-time leading scorer LeBron James as he is recovering from a back issue.
