Oklahoma City Thunder Launch Championship Defense with Nail-Biting Overtime Victory
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joined Oklahoma City in 2019.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered the decisive baskets late in a second overtime period as the Oklahoma City Thunder started their NBA title defense with a narrow win over the Houston Rockets.
Last season's MVP scored 35 points, featuring two from the free-throw line with just 2.3 seconds remaining in the second overtime, giving the champions a positive start.
Houston's Alperun Sengun led all scorers with a game-high 39 and also hit a career-high five shots from beyond the arc.
But Chet Holmgren, who contributed 28 points, played a major role together with the game's hero.
"Grit and defense," SGA commented of their performance. "We know that when we execute defensively we give ourselves a chance 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 tip-off, Oklahoma's championship banner was unveiled at their arena, while the players were awarded their title rings.
The Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers in the previous season's best-of-seven NBA Finals. It was their first title since the team moved in 2008 to Oklahoma City from Seattle, who had won the 1979 title.
The Pacers will have the opportunity to get some payback on Friday when they host the Thunder, while the Houston are back on court on the identical day at the Detroit Pistons.
Elsewhere, a huge effort of 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine dimes from Luka Doncic was insufficient to stop his new team the Lakers from falling to a 119-109 loss against the Warriors.
Jimmy Butler scored 31 points and Golden State's sharpshooter added 23 points for the visiting Warriors.
The Lakers were missing the league's top scorer James as he is recovering from a back issue.
