Thunder Kick Off Championship Defense with Nail-Biting Double Overtime Triumph
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came to the Thunder back in 2019.
The Thunder's star player scored the decisive points late in double overtime as the defending champions opened their championship campaign with a narrow victory over the visiting Rockets.
Last season's MVP scored a team-high 35 points, including two from the free-throw line with just 2.3 seconds remaining in double OT, giving the champions a winning beginning.
Houston's Alperun Sengun led all scorers with 39 points and also hit a career-high five shots from beyond the arc.
But Chet Holmgren, who added 28 points of his own, played a major role alongside the game's hero.
"Determination 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, misses, fortune or misfortune. We did sufficient defensive work to secure the victory. We're pretty rusty, but it's a good start."
Prior to the tip-off, Oklahoma's title banner was unveiled at their arena, while the players were awarded their championship rings.
Oklahoma City defeated the Indiana Pacers in last season's championship series. It was their first title since the franchise relocated in 2008 to Oklahoma City from Seattle, who had won the 1979 crown.
The Pacers will have the chance to get some payback on Friday when they face Oklahoma, while the Rockets are back on court on the identical day at the Pistons.
In other action, a massive effort of 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine dimes from the Slovenian star was insufficient to stop his current team the Lakers from suffering a 119-109 loss against the Golden State Warriors.
Miami's star picked up 31 points and Golden State's sharpshooter chipped in 23 points for the road team.
The Lakers were without the NBA's all-time leading scorer LeBron James as he is recovering from sciatica.
