Oklahoma City Thunder Begin Championship Defense with Nail-Biting Double Overtime Triumph
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joined the Thunder back in 2019.
The Thunder's star player scored the winning points late in a second overtime period as the defending champions started their NBA title defense with a 125-124 victory over the Houston Rockets.
Last season's MVP scored a team-high 35 points, featuring two clutch free throws with just mere seconds left in the second overtime, securing the titleholders a positive start.
The Rockets' big man led all scorers 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, was instrumental alongside match-winner Gilgeous-Alexander.
"Determination and defense," SGA said of their performance. "We know that when we execute defensively we give ourselves a opportunity no matter what's going on—makes, missed attempts, fortune or bad luck. We did sufficient defence to secure the victory. We're pretty rusty, but it's a positive beginning."
Prior to the tip-off, Oklahoma's championship banner was unveiled at their home court, while the squad were awarded their championship rings.
The Thunder beat the Pacers in last season's best-of-seven NBA Finals. It was their first title since the team relocated 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 face the Thunder, while the Houston return to action on the same day at the Pistons.
In other action, a huge performance of 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine dimes from the Slovenian star was not enough to stop his current team the Los Angeles Lakers from falling to a 119-109 loss against the Golden State Warriors.
Jimmy Butler picked up 31 points and Stephen Curry added 23 points for the road team.
The Lakers were missing the NBA's all-time leading scorer LeBron James as he is recovering from a back issue.