Rockets narrowly lose to Thunder by 1 point in double overtime! Alexander's clutch free throws seal the game, Sengun scores 39, Durant adds 23 points and 9 rebounds

On October 22nd Beijing time, the NBA season opener saw the Rockets lose 124-125 in double overtime away to the Thunder. Sengun posted 39 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 threes, and 2 steals; Durant had 23 points and 9 rebounds. The Rockets led by as many as 12 points until Alexander’s key jumper pushed the game into overtime. Sengun helped the team reach the second overtime, and Durant seemingly called a timeout without one being granted, avoiding a technical foul as the referee missed it. After two intense overtimes, Alexander’s free throws clinched the win. Before the game, the Thunder team received championship rings and raised their title banner. Alexander scored 35 points, Holmgren had 28, while Jalen Williams was sidelined due to injury.

Statistics

Rockets: Sengun 39 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 three-pointers, 2 steals; Durant 23 points, 9 rebounds; Amen 18 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists; Smith Jr. 16 points, 5 rebounds; Adams 4 points, 13 rebounds; Shepard 9 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists; Okogie 8 points; Capela 4 points; Eason 3 points, 5 rebounds

Thunder: Alexander 35 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists; Holmgren 28 points, 7 rebounds; Wallace 14 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals; Dort 6 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists; Hartenstein 6 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists; Ajayi-Mitchell 16 points; Wiggins 10 points; Caruso 8 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals

Player of the Game

Alexander took control late, hitting crucial shots in the fourth quarter and overtime to lead the Thunder past the Rockets.

Game Highlights

Before the game, the Thunder held a ring ceremony and raised their championship banner, with former players like Ibaka and Anthony in attendance. The Rockets returned to their locker room and did not watch the ceremony live.

The Thunder’s championship rings are crafted from 14K white and yellow gold, adorned with blue and orange gemstones. Each ring features diamond-set player numbers and can open to reveal a second ring inside.

Game Recap

In the first quarter, Holmgren scored 7 straight points to start, Smith Jr. added a putback, Durant responded with a two-handed dunk. Smith Jr. hit a three, Dort finished with a dunk. Amen converted a 2+1 and followed with a mid-range jumper, Holmgren scored another 6 points. Amen again made a 2+1, Durant hit a floater, Amen added a putback, giving the Rockets a 4-point lead. Alexander and Dort scored on drives as the Thunder went on a 6-0 run to take the lead. Durant scored 4 consecutive points, Wiggins and Shepard traded threes. Capela scored with a hook shot. The quarter ended with the Rockets leading 30-27. Holmgren had 13 points, Amen scored 10 in the quarter.

In the second quarter, Holmgren made a 2+1, Okogie, Sengun, and Eason all hit threes, Caruso and Holmgren answered from outside for the Thunder. Holmgren was perfect 7-for-7 with 18 points. Shepard hit a three, Ajayi-Mitchell also drained an open three. Durant made consecutive mid-range shots, Sengun added another three as the Rockets went on a 7-0 run. Alexander scored on a layup, Durant hit another mid-range jumper. After Sengun made two free throws, the Rockets led by 10. Ajayi-Mitchell completed a 3+1 play. At halftime, the Rockets led 57-51.

By halftime, three Rockets players were in double figures: Durant with 14 points and 5 rebounds, Amen with 10 points and 4 assists, Sengun with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. For the Thunder, Holmgren had 18 points and 4 rebounds, Ajayi-Mitchell scored 12. Alexander was tightly guarded and only managed 5 points in the first half.

After the break, Smith Jr. scored on a layup, Durant hit a fadeaway jumper, Amen scored on a layup as the Rockets went on a 6-0 run to a 12-point lead. Alexander scored a mid-range jumper, Caruso stole and dunked on a fast break, Alexander scored again mid-range, Wallace hit a three, and the Thunder responded with a 12-4 run. Adams scored on a putback, Wallace dunked, Wiggins hit a three as the Thunder cut the deficit to 1 point. Shepard scored a mid-range jumper, Caruso and Sengun traded threes. Wiggins posterized Shepard with a dunk. Amen blocked Alexander’s shot. The third quarter ended with the Rockets leading 79-75.

In the fourth quarter, Ajayi-Mitchell scored 4 straight points, Sengun hit consecutive threes, extending the Rockets’ lead to 6. Holmgren finished with an alley-oop dunk, Hartenstein scored 4 points in a row, Sengun made a 2+1, and the Rockets still led by 5. Smith Jr. scored on a layup, Durant hit a mid-range jumper, Alexander scored 8 straight points, Amen scored on a drive. Hartenstein scored on a putback. Amen scored 4 more points. Holmgren hit a mid-range jumper, Wallace hit a three, Alexander scored a mid-range jumper as the Thunder took a 1-point lead. Sengun scored on a hook shot, Durant made one of two free throws, Alexander scored again mid-range to tie at 104. Sengun’s potential game-winner missed, sending the game to overtime.

In overtime, Durant committed a backcourt violation returning to the court, Holmgren hit a three, Sengun picked up his 5th foul. Alexander hit a three, pushing the Thunder’s lead to 6. Sengun scored on a hook shot, Alexander scored another mid-range jumper, Smith Jr. hit a three, Sengun made one of two free throws. Holmgren hit a three but soon fouled out on his sixth foul. Okogie made two free throws, Sengun blocked Caruso and followed with a dunk, tying the game at 115. Eason blocked Alexander’s shot, sending the game into a second overtime. Durant seemingly called a timeout without the Rockets having one, but the referees didn’t see it, sparing the Rockets a technical foul.

In the second overtime, Sengun made two free throws, Alexander made one of two, Smith Jr. scored on a mid-range jumper, Alexander again made one of two free throws, Wallace hit a three, Durant completed a 2+1 play, and Hartenstein fouled out on his sixth foul. The Rockets led by two points. Alexander scored a mid-range jumper, Dort stole from Shepard, Alexander made another one of two free throws. Alexander caused Durant’s sixth foul, sending Durant out, and made two free throws to complete a clutch free throw finish. With 2.3 seconds left, Smith Jr.’s mid-range shot missed, and the Thunder narrowly escaped with the win.

Starting Lineups

Rockets: Amen Thompson, Durant, Smith Jr., Sengun, Adams

Thunder: Alexander, Wallace, Dort, Holmgren, Hartenstein