Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder launched the defense of their NBA crown with a thrilling season-opening 125-124 triple-overtime victory over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday.

Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA and NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, drew a crucial foul with 2.3 seconds remaining before nailing two free throws to settle an epic duel with a new-look Rockets side spearheaded by Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun.

Gilgeous-Alexander's winning free throws settled a triumphant occasion for Oklahoma City, who had earlier been presented with diamond-encrusted championship rings to mark last season's NBA Finals victory.

However after watching Oklahoma City hoist the franchise's first ever championship banner, the Rockets had threatened to spoil th

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