Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered the game-sealing free throws late in second overtime for the victory in Oklahoma City on NBA opening night.
The Oklahoma City Thunder averted disaster on opening night as the defending champions squeaked past the Houston Rockets, 125-124, in double overtime at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning, Manila time).
OKC leaned on late game heroics at the charity stripe from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as he iced two pressure-filled free throws to seal the victory after a grueling battle that saw multiple players foul out.
The defending champions gave their fans lots to cheer about after their ring ceremony with the gutsy victory over the Rockets that piggy backed off of a big game from Alperen Sengun (39 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists).
Gilgeous-Alexander gave OKC the chance for victory when he was able to successfully bait a foul on Kevin Durant — a foul that also sent Durant to the bench, having committed his sixth foul of the ballgame.
Sengun had given the Rockets the lead with 11 ticks remaining in the second overtime with a finger roll layup to wrap up his insane scoring night.
But it was the reigning MVP who had the last laugh, going 2-for-2 in his last trip at the line for the night to pull the Thunder ahead.
“Grit, determination and defense, when we do it down there at that end, we give ourselves a chance every night no matter what’s going on — makes, misses, bad luck, good luck. It doesn’t matter,” Gilgeous-Alexander said in his on-court interview of the team’s key to victory.
Earlier at the end of regulation, it was also Gilgeous-Alexander who dragged the game into the extra period when he made a jump shot with three ticks left in the fourth quarter.
Sengun was unable to hit the potential game-winner as the game went into not one, but two, overtimes to begin the Thunder’s title defense.
Gilgeous-Alexander was in a personal battle with Sengun in terms of scoring, leading his own team with 35 markers, going 10-of-14 from the free throw line. He also had five rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks.
Chet Holmgren was Gilgeous-Alexander’s support before fouling out in the second overtime, finishing with 28 markers, seven boards, and two assists.
Durant was also crucial for the Rockets in the close call with 23 points, nine rebounds, and three assists.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.