Gilgeous-Alexander Lifts Thunder Over Rockets in Double Overtime; Flagg to Make Mavericks Debut
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Oklahoma City, OK — The Thunder raised their championship banner and immediately faced a scare, edging the Houston Rockets 125-124 in double overtime on opening night.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sank two free throws with 2.3 seconds remaining to secure the win and finish with 35 points. The reigning MVP had already extended the contest by hitting a 15-foot jumper in the final seconds of regulation.
Alperen Sengun paced all scorers with 39 points, adding 11 rebounds and seven assists while going 5-for-5 from beyond the arc and 10-for-11 at the stripe. Houston still came up short after committing 21 turnovers and missing injured point guard Fred VanVleet.
The night included two critical moments involving Kevin Durant, who returned to Oklahoma City as a Rocket. Late in the first overtime he appeared to signal for a timeout Houston did not have, but officials did not notice. In the second overtime he fouled Gilgeous-Alexander on the decisive free throws, finishing with 23 points and nine assists.
Amen Thompson recorded 18 points before exiting with calf cramps, and rookie guard Reed Sheppard shot 3-for-11 in 28 minutes. Houston’s home opener is Friday against Detroit. Oklahoma City begins a three-game trip Thursday in Indiana, a rematch of last season’s NBA Finals.
Flagg Ready for First NBA Action
In Dallas, No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg will debut Wednesday versus the Spurs. The 19-year-old forward said the Mavericks’ veteran core, which includes Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving when healthy, eases his transition.
“We’re a really deep team. That takes the pressure off me to just be myself and help this team win,” Flagg told The Dallas Morning News. “It’s the start of a great season and a great journey.”
Source: Hoops Wire
