Oklahoma City Thunder Begin Championship Defense with Dramatic Overtime Victory
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joined the Thunder back in 2019.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored the game-winning points late in a second overtime period as the Oklahoma City Thunder opened their NBA title defense with a narrow win over the visiting Rockets.
Last season's MVP scored 35 points, including two from the free-throw line with just mere seconds left in the second overtime, securing the titleholders a winning beginning.
The Rockets' big man led all scorers with 39 points and also hit a personal-best five three-pointers.
But the Thunder's rookie, who added 28 points of his own, was instrumental together with match-winner Gilgeous-Alexander.
"Determination and defence," SGA 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 defence to secure the victory. 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 players were awarded their title rings.
Oklahoma City defeated the Indiana Pacers in the previous season's best-of-seven NBA Finals. It was their maiden championship since the team moved in 2008 to Oklahoma City from Seattle, who had won the 1979 crown.
Indiana will have the chance to get some payback on Friday when they host the Thunder, while the Rockets are back on court on the same day at the Detroit Pistons.
Elsewhere, a massive performance of 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine dimes from the Slovenian star was insufficient to prevent his current team the Los Angeles Lakers from suffering a 119-109 loss against the Warriors.
Miami's star scored 31 points and Stephen Curry added 23 for the road team.
The Lakers were without the league's top scorer LeBron James as he recovers from sciatica.
