Thunder Outlast Rockets in Double Overtime Thriller
Opening night in Oklahoma City was electric. The Thunder celebrated their championship banner and ring ceremony before tipping off the 2025/26 NBA season against the Houston Rockets, and the game lived up to every bit of the hype.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looked every bit like the reigning MVP, taking over late and sealing the win for OKC. He poured in 35 points, hitting clutch shots in both overtimes and reminding everyone why this is his team.
Chet Holmgren kept the Thunder alive early, scoring 13 of the team’s first 15 points while OKC struggled to find their rhythm from deep. His energy and inside presence set the tone until SGA took command down the stretch.
For Houston, all eyes were on Kevin Durant, who made his highly anticipated debut as a Rocket. The former MVP’s first game in a Houston uniform was solid, not spectacular, but his presence alone gave the Rockets a different energy. Durant finished with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists in 47 minutes of play, showing flashes of his trademark shot-making but also some rust.
In a wild twist late in regulation, Durant nearly cost Houston the game by signaling for a timeout when the Rockets had none remaining, but the referees missed it. In the second overtime, he fouled out while trying to guard Gilgeous-Alexander on the decisive play, sending SGA to the line for the game-winning free throws.
Despite the ending, Durant’s debut was still a moment to remember, a new chapter for one of the game’s greatest scorers, even if it didn’t end in victory.
Alperen ĹžengĂĽn, meanwhile, was unstoppable. The young star dominated on both ends, dropping 39 points and controlling the paint all night. His performance nearly carried Houston to a statement win on opening night.
The Thunder escaped with a 125-124 double-overtime victory in the first game of the new NBA season, starting their title defense with a thrilling win in front of their home crowd.
Warriors Hold Off Luka’s Lakers in Los Angeles
The second half of the NBA’s opening night doubleheader didn’t disappoint either. In Los Angeles, the Golden State Warriors held off a furious rally from the new look Lakers, walking away with a 119-109 win.
The Lakers, led by Luka Dončić, kept the game close early before the Warriors broke things open in the third quarter. Golden State’s ball movement and shot making proved too much for LA to overcome, even as the Lakers mounted multiple comebacks late.
Steph Curry hit the dagger, a deep three pointer, as only he can, to silence the Crypto.com Arena crowd and put the game on ice.
Jimmy Butler was outstanding, going a perfect 16 for 16 from the free throw line and leading the Warriors with 31 points on 7 of 14 shooting. Curry added 23 points in support, while Golden State’s defense clamped down late.
Luka was sensational in defeat, nearly notching a triple double with 43 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists. Austin Reaves chipped in 26 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Warriors’ veteran poise and shot making.
LeBron James did not play, still recovering from a lingering nerve injury.
Golden State opens the season 1-0 with an impressive road win, while the Lakers will look to regroup as they await LeBron’s return.