Oklahoma City Thunder Kick Off Title Defense with Dramatic Overtime Victory
The Thunder star came to the Thunder in 2019.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered the decisive baskets late in double overtime as the defending champions started their championship campaign with a 125-124 victory over the Houston Rockets.
The reigning MVP scored 35 points, including two from the free-throw line with just 2.3 seconds left in the second overtime, giving the champions a winning beginning.
The Rockets' big man top-scored with a game-high 39 and also connected on a career-high five shots from beyond the arc.
But Chet Holmgren, who added 28 points of his own, played a major role together with match-winner Gilgeous-Alexander.
"Determination and defense," Gilgeous-Alexander said of their showing. "We know that when we execute defensively we give ourselves a opportunity no matter what's going on—shots, missed attempts, fortune or bad luck. We did enough defence to secure the victory. We're still shaking off rust, but it's a good start."
Prior to the tip-off, Oklahoma's championship banner was unveiled at their home court, while the players were awarded their title rings.
Oklahoma City 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 crown.
The Pacers will have the opportunity to get some early revenge on Friday when they host the Thunder, while the Houston return to action on the identical day at the Detroit Pistons.
In other action, a huge performance of 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists from Luka Doncic was not enough to stop his current team the Los Angeles Lakers from suffering a 119-109 loss against the Golden State Warriors.
Jimmy Butler picked up 31 points and Stephen Curry chipped in 23 for the road team.
Los Angeles were without the league's top scorer LeBron James as he recovers from sciatica.
