Thunder fans got everything they wanted on Tuesday — a ring ceremony, the unveiling of the championship banner and a win over former Oklahoma City star Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets.
MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit two free throws with 2.3 seconds left in the second overtime to give the Thunder a 125-124 win. He was the champion of last season, who scored only five points in the first half, but finished the season with 35 points.
Durant fouled Gilgeous-Alexander, giving the Rockets a 124-123 lead in the second overtime. The crowd cheered happily when Durant exited the game with his sixth personal foul. Gilgeous-Alexander made both free throws for the decisive points. Houston’s Jabari Smith Jr. missed a 19-foot jumper as time expired, and the Thunder survived in the season opener for both teams.
Thunder fans have never forgiven Durant for leaving the Thunder to join the Golden State Warriors, their biggest rival, in 2016. Durant had 23 points and nine rebounds in his first game with Houston after being traded in the offseason. He was booed loudly during pre-match introductions and continued throughout most of the match.
Chet Holmgren added 28 points and seven rebounds for the Thunder. Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams, who made his first All-Star appearance last season, sat out as he continues to recover from a right wrist injury he suffered last season. He underwent surgery on July 1, and coach Mark Daigneault said he is “progressing.”
Alberin Shingun scored 39 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Rockets.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s short jumper with 2.1 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter tied the game at 104. Şengün missed a fadeaway at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.
With the score tied at 115 in the final seconds of the first overtime, Gilgeous missed Alexander and Durant rebounded and tried to call a timeout that the Rockets didn’t have. The Thunder noticed and tried to alert the officials, but no call was made and the game went to the second overtime.
The Rockets visit the Detroit Pistons on Friday.
The Thunder will visit the Indiana Pacers on Thursday in a repeat of last season’s NBA Finals series, which the Thunder won in seven games.