Thunder Kick Off Championship Defense with Thrilling Double Overtime Victory

The Thunder's star player delivered the game-winning points late in double overtime as the Oklahoma City Thunder opened their NBA title defense with a 125-124 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 remaining in the second overtime, giving the champions a winning beginning.

The Rockets' big man top-scored with 39 points and also connected on a career-high five shots from beyond the arc.

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

"Grit and defence," SGA commented of their performance. "We know that when we execute defensively we give ourselves a opportunity no matter what's going on—shots, misses, fortune or misfortune. We did sufficient defence to secure the victory. We're pretty rusty, but it's a good start."

Before the tip-off, the team's title banner was raised at their home court, while the squad were awarded their championship rings.

The Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers in last season's championship series. It was their maiden championship since the franchise relocated in 2008 to Oklahoma City from Seattle, who had won the 1979 title.

Indiana will have the opportunity to get some payback on Friday when they host the Thunder, while the Rockets are back on court on the identical day at the Detroit Pistons.

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

Jimmy Butler scored 31 points and Stephen Curry added 23 for the visiting Warriors.

The Lakers were without the NBA's all-time leading scorer James as he recovers from sciatica.