Thunder Kick Off Championship Defense with Nail-Biting Double Overtime Win
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joined Oklahoma City in 2019.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored the decisive points late in a second overtime period as the defending champions opened their championship campaign with a narrow victory over the Houston Rockets.
Last season's MVP scored a team-high 35 points, featuring two clutch free throws with just 2.3 seconds left in double OT, giving the champions a positive start.
Houston's Alperun Sengun top-scored with a game-high 39 and also hit a personal-best five shots from beyond the arc.
But the Thunder's rookie, who added 28 points, was instrumental alongside the game's hero.
"Determination and defence," SGA commented of their performance. "We know that when we execute on defence we give ourselves a chance no matter what's going on—makes, misses, good luck or misfortune. We did enough defence to get the win. 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 players were awarded their championship rings.
The Thunder beat the Pacers in the previous season's championship series. It was their maiden championship since the team relocated in 2008 to OKC from Seattle, who had claimed the 1979 crown.
The Pacers will have the chance to get some payback on Friday when they host Oklahoma, while the Houston return to action on the same day at the Pistons.
Elsewhere, a massive performance of 43 points, 12 boards and nine dimes from Luka Doncic was not enough to prevent his new team the Los Angeles Lakers from falling to a 119-109 defeat against the Warriors.
Miami's star scored 31 points and Stephen Curry added 23 for the road team.
Los Angeles were missing the league's top scorer LeBron James as he recovers from a back issue.
