Oklahoma City Thunder Begin Championship Defense with Thrilling Double Overtime Victory
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joined the Thunder in 2019.
The Thunder's star player scored the winning points late in double overtime as the defending champions started their championship campaign with a 125-124 victory over the visiting Rockets.
The reigning MVP scored a team-high 35 points, featuring two from the free-throw line with just 2.3 seconds remaining in double OT, giving the titleholders 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 the Thunder's rookie, who added 28 points of his own, was instrumental alongside the game's hero.
"Grit and defence," Gilgeous-Alexander said of their performance. "We know that when we do it on defence we give ourselves a opportunity no matter what's going on—shots, missed attempts, fortune or bad luck. We did enough defensive work to get the win. We're still shaking off rust, but it's a good start."
Prior to the tip-off, the team's title banner was unveiled at their home court, while the squad 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 franchise relocated in 2008 to Oklahoma City from Seattle, who had won the 1979 title.
Indiana will have the chance to get some payback on Friday when they face Oklahoma, while the Houston return to action on the same day at the Pistons.
Elsewhere, a huge performance of 43 points, 12 boards and nine assists from the Slovenian star was not enough to prevent his current team the Los Angeles Lakers from suffering a 119-109 loss against the Warriors.
Jimmy Butler picked up 31 points and Golden State's sharpshooter chipped in 23 for the visiting Warriors.
Los Angeles were missing the NBA's all-time leading scorer James as he is recovering from sciatica.
