Oklahoma City Thunder Kick Off Championship Defense with Nail-Biting Double Overtime Victory
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came to Oklahoma City in 2019.
The Thunder's star player delivered the decisive baskets deep into a second overtime period as the defending champions opened their NBA title defense with a narrow win over the Houston Rockets.
The reigning MVP scored a team-high 35 points, including two from the free-throw line with just mere seconds left in the second overtime, securing the titleholders a positive start.
The Rockets' big man top-scored with 39 points and also connected on a career-high five three-pointers.
But the Thunder's rookie, who added 28 points, played a major role alongside the game's hero.
"Grit and defense," SGA said of their showing. "We know that when we execute defensively we give ourselves a chance no matter what's going on—shots, misses, good luck or misfortune. We did sufficient defence to get the win. We're pretty rusty, but it's a positive beginning."
Prior to the game, the team's title banner was unveiled at their home court, while the squad were presented with their title 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 Oklahoma City from Seattle, who had claimed the 1979 title.
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 massive performance of 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists from the Slovenian star was insufficient to stop his current team the Los Angeles Lakers from falling to a 119-109 loss against the Golden State Warriors.
Jimmy Butler scored 31 points and Stephen Curry chipped in 23 for the visiting Warriors.
The Lakers were missing the NBA's all-time leading scorer LeBron James as he recovers from sciatica.
