Oklahoma City Thunder Launch Championship Defense with Dramatic Double Overtime Win
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joined Oklahoma City back in 2019.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered the decisive points late in a second overtime period as the Oklahoma City Thunder opened their championship campaign with a 125-124 win over the visiting Rockets.
The reigning MVP scored 35 points, featuring two clutch free throws with just 2.3 seconds remaining in the second overtime, giving the champions a positive start.
The Rockets' big man led all scorers with 39 points and also connected on a personal-best five shots from beyond the arc.
But the Thunder's rookie, who contributed 28 points, played a major role alongside match-winner Gilgeous-Alexander.
"Determination and defense," Gilgeous-Alexander commented of their performance. "We know that when we do it on defence we give ourselves a opportunity no matter what's going on—shots, misses, good luck or misfortune. We did enough defensive work to get the win. We're pretty rusty, but it's a positive beginning."
Before the tip-off, the team's championship banner was raised at their arena, while the players were awarded their title rings.
Oklahoma City beat the Indiana Pacers in the previous season's championship series. It was their first title since the team moved in 2008 to OKC from Seattle, who had claimed the 1979 title.
The Pacers will have the chance to secure some payback on this Friday when they face Oklahoma, while the Houston are back on court on the same day at the Detroit 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 Lakers from suffering a 119-109 defeat against the Golden State Warriors.
Jimmy Butler 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 sciatica.
