Oklahoma City Thunder opened their 2025-26 NBA season with a dramatic 125-124 double overtime victory over the Houston Rockets — a game that had everything: clutch shooting, controversy, and a championship atmosphere.
On ring-ceremony night, the Thunder showed they still have the championship DNA that carried them to last year’s title.
Thunder’s Championship Heart Shows Again
Houston controlled much of the second half, leading by double digits, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander refused to let the Thunder fold. His step-back jumper with 2.1 seconds left in regulation tied the game and forced overtime.
The first overtime featured chaos when Kevin Durant, in his Rockets debut, appeared to call a timeout his team didn’t have — a move eerily similar to Chris Webber’s infamous 1993 Finals mistake. Officials missed the signal, and the game rolled into a second OT.
In the final seconds of the second overtime, Durant fouled Shai on a drive. The Thunder star calmly sank both free throws to give OKC the one-point edge. The Rockets’ last-second shot missed, sealing an opening-night instant classic.
Team Reactions and Analysis
Thunder Takeaways
- 💪 Resilient Core: Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren are already in mid-season form.
- 🧠 Championship Poise: OKC kept its cool in crunch time — a sign of experience.
- 🏆 Depth on Display: Bench contributions from Isaiah Joe and Cason Wallace provided key spacing.
Rockets Takeaways
- 🔥 Durant’s Debut: Despite the ending, KD’s chemistry with Sengun looked promising.
- 🚀 Sengun’s Leap: His offensive arsenal continues to expand — possibly an early All-Star favorite.
- ⚙️ Execution Issues: Missed free throws and the timeout miscue proved costly.
Key Takeaways
- Shai remains one of the most clutch guards in basketball.
- Chet’s versatility gives OKC a unique edge on both ends.
- Houston’s new-look lineup has significant upside — but is still learning to close.
- This game set the tone for what could be a fierce Western Conference rivalry all season.
Final Score
Oklahoma City Thunder 125 — Houston Rockets 124 (Double Overtime)