Thunder Launch Title Defense with Dramatic Double Overtime Win
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came to the Thunder back in 2019.
The Thunder's star player scored the game-winning points late in double overtime as the Oklahoma City Thunder opened their NBA title defense with a narrow victory over the Houston Rockets.
The reigning MVP scored 35 points, featuring two clutch free throws with just mere seconds remaining in the second overtime, giving the titleholders a winning beginning.
Houston's Alperun Sengun led all scorers with 39 points and also connected on a personal-best five shots from beyond the arc.
But Chet Holmgren, who added 28 points, played a major role together with the game's hero.
"Grit and defence," SGA commented of their performance. "We know that when we do it on defence we give ourselves a opportunity no matter what's going on—shots, misses, good luck or bad luck. We did enough defence to secure the victory. We're pretty rusty, but it's a positive beginning."
Prior to the tip-off, the team's title banner was raised at their home court, while the squad were presented with their championship rings.
Oklahoma City defeated the Pacers in the previous season's best-of-seven NBA Finals. It was their first title since the franchise relocated 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 Oklahoma, while the Houston are back on court on the identical day at the Detroit Pistons.
Elsewhere, a huge performance of 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine dimes from Luka Doncic was not enough to prevent his current team the Los Angeles Lakers from falling to a 119-109 defeat against the Warriors.
Miami's star scored 31 points and Golden State's sharpshooter added 23 points for the visiting Warriors.
Los Angeles were without the NBA's all-time leading scorer LeBron James as he is recovering from a back issue.
