🔗 Share this article

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored the game-winning points late in double overtime as the Oklahoma City Thunder opened their NBA title defense with a 125-124 win over the visiting Rockets.

The reigning MVP scored a team-high 35 points, featuring two from the free-throw line with just mere seconds remaining in the second overtime, giving the champions a positive start.

Houston's Alperun Sengun led all scorers with 39 points and also connected on a personal-best five three-pointers.

But Chet Holmgren, who added 28 points, played a major role together with match-winner Gilgeous-Alexander.

"Grit and defence," Gilgeous-Alexander said of their performance. "We know that when we do it on defence we give ourselves a chance no matter what's going on—shots, misses, fortune or bad luck. We did enough defence to secure the victory. We're still shaking off rust, but it's a good start."

Prior to the tip-off, Oklahoma's title banner was raised at their arena, while the squad were presented with their title rings.

The Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers in the previous season's best-of-seven NBA Finals. It was their first title since the team relocated in 2008 to OKC from Seattle, who had won the 1979 title.

The Pacers will have the chance to get some payback on this Friday when they face the Thunder, while the Houston are back on court on the same day at the Detroit Pistons.

In other action, a massive effort of 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine dimes from Luka Doncic was insufficient to stop his new team the Los Angeles Lakers from suffering a 119-109 defeat against the Golden State Warriors.

Jimmy Butler picked up 31 points and Stephen Curry chipped in 23 for the visiting Warriors.

The Lakers were without the league's top scorer LeBron James as he recovers from a back issue.