NBA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder past Rockets in season-opening thriller
Defending champions need triple overtime to get past new-look Houston side who almost ruin banner day
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder launched the defence of their NBA crown with a thrilling season-opening 125-124 triple-overtime victory over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA and NBA Finals MVP, drew a crucial foul with 2.3 seconds remaining before nailing two free throws to settle an epic duel with a new-look Rockets side spearheaded by Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s winning free throws settled a triumphant occasion for Oklahoma City, who had earlier been presented with diamond-encrusted championship rings to mark last season’s NBA Finals victory.
However, after watching Oklahoma City hoist the franchise’s first ever championship banner, the Rockets had threatened to spoil the party for long periods, with Sengun and Durant combining superbly to keep Houston in front for much of the game.
“Grit, determination and defence,” Gilgeous-Alexander said when asked to sum up the Thunder’s nail-biting win.
“We know that when we do it [on defence] we give ourselves a chance no matter what’s going on – makes, misses, good luck or bad luck. We did enough defence tonight to get the win. We’re pretty rusty, but it’s a good start.”
