Oklahoma City Thunder Launch Title Defense with Dramatic Double Overtime Triumph
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came to Oklahoma City back in 2019.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored the decisive points late in a second overtime period as the Oklahoma City Thunder started 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 mere seconds left in the second overtime, giving the titleholders a positive start.
Houston's Alperun Sengun led all scorers with 39 points 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 the game's hero.
"Determination and defence," SGA commented of their showing. "We know that when we do it on defence we give ourselves a opportunity no matter what's going on—makes, misses, good luck or misfortune. We did enough defence to secure the victory. We're pretty rusty, but it's a positive beginning."
Before the game, Oklahoma's championship banner was raised at their arena, while the squad were presented with their championship rings.
Oklahoma City defeated the Pacers in the previous season's championship series. It was their maiden championship since the franchise moved in 2008 to OKC from Seattle, who had won the 1979 title.
Indiana will have the chance to get some payback on Friday when they host Oklahoma, while the Rockets 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 Luka Doncic was not enough to prevent his new team the Lakers from falling to a 119-109 loss against the Golden State Warriors.
Jimmy Butler scored 31 points and Golden State's sharpshooter chipped in 23 points for the visiting Warriors.
Los Angeles were missing the NBA's all-time leading scorer LeBron James as he is recovering from sciatica.
