🔗 Share this article

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered the decisive baskets deep into double overtime as the defending champions opened their championship campaign with a 125-124 victory over the Houston Rockets.

The reigning MVP poured in a team-high 35 points, including two from the free-throw line with just 2.3 seconds left in double OT, giving the champions a positive start.

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

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

"Determination and defense," SGA said of their performance. "We know that when we do it defensively we give ourselves a opportunity no matter what's going on—makes, misses, fortune or bad luck. We did enough defence to secure the victory. We're pretty rusty, but it's a positive beginning."

Before the game, the team's title banner was raised at their arena, while the squad were presented with their title rings.

Oklahoma City beat the Pacers in the previous season's best-of-seven NBA Finals. It was their first title since the franchise moved in 2008 to Oklahoma City from Seattle, who had claimed the 1979 crown.

Indiana will have the chance to get some early revenge on this Friday when they face the Thunder, while the Rockets return to action on the same day at the Detroit Pistons.

Elsewhere, a massive effort of 43 points, 12 boards and nine assists from Luka Doncic was not enough to prevent his new team the Los Angeles Lakers from falling to a 119-109 defeat against the Warriors.

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

The Lakers were missing the league's top scorer LeBron James as he is recovering from sciatica.