OKC kicks off NBA title defense with 2OT win over Houston

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

You could never ask for a better NBA opening night than that.

On Oct. 22, 2025, thousands of fans who flocked to the Paycom Center quickly experienced the thrill and agony of the NBA regular season after the Oklahoma City Thunder stunned the Houston Rockets in double overtime, 125-124, to kick off their title defense on a high note.

The game featured runs, many lead changes, and fumes from missed calls.

It was also a high-level chess match, summing up the NBA’s first Wild Wild West matchup.

Indeed, no leads are safe in the NBA after the Thunder clawed their way back from a 12-point deficit and needed every ounce of their remaining horsepower to defuse the Rockets’ ascension.

After getting punched in the mouth early in the third quarter, the reigning NBA kings responded like champions and answered every Houston haymaker to turn things into a see-saw affair.

The Rockets almost reached the finish line after Alperen Sengun hit a clutch hook shot that put them back in the driver’s seat, 102-103, while newly acquired Kevin Durant went 1-of-2 from the free-throw line to increase their cushion to a deuce, 102-104.

However, that missed freebie gave more breathing room to the Thunder, which Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took advantage of by burying the game-tying pull-up jumper that forced the first overtime period.

OKC’s head coach Mark Daigneault put all of his trust in his wards after refusing to call a timeout in the final 9.5 seconds of the fourth period.

After five dribbles to cross half court, SGA lost Amen Thompson’s balance with a nifty in-and-out move to set up his signature perimeter jump shot to tie the game at 104-all.

Sengun had one last chance to lead Houston to victory after attempting a game-winning shot, but Luguentz Dort’s terrific on-ball defense bothered the arc, sending the intense matchup to an extra five-minute period.

OKC struck first in OT after building a six-point lead off an SGA three-pointer, but Jabari Smith Jr. and Sengun joined hands to pull within a point, 111-112.

Facing a two-point deficit with 16 seconds remaining, the Rockets relied on Sengun’s post dominance as the Turkish bruiser rammed his way through the defense of Alex Caruso for another equalizer, 115-all.

Unlike the final seconds of regulation, SGA failed to take OKC home in the final play, courtesy of Tari Eason’s great anticipation to disrupt his attempt from downtown.

After 53 minutes of action, both squads needed a second overtime period to settle the score, but it was OKC that prevailed in the clutch, led by SGA, who perfectly executed a foul-baiting fake that sold out Durant’s physical defense.

Before drawing the foul, OKC trailed by a point, 123-124, but SGA capped off the game with a perfect trip to the charity stripe for a 125-124 advantage.

Unfortunately for Houston, Smith Jr.’s game-winning three-point attempt from the left baseline went off, resulting in a hard-earned mano-a-mano dub for the Thunder and a momentum-boosting 1-0 start to the NBA season.

After settling for just five points at the half, SGA came alive when OKC needed him the most, top-scoring with 35 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks.

Chet Holmgren, despite fouling out of the game, delivered 28 points — including 18 in the first half — alongside seven boards and two dimes.

The Thunder missed the presence of Jalen Williams, who was sidelined due to a wrist injury, and shooter Isaiah Joe due to a knee contusion.

On the other hand, Houston received an impressive 39-point outing from Sengun, built from an efficient 12-of-24 shooting from the field, while Durant ended up with 23 markers and nine rebounds in his first game as a member of the Rockets.