Thunder Beat Durant's Rockets 125–124 in Double OT

The Oklahoma City Thunder opened their 2025–26 season by receiving championship rings, raising a banner, and beating Kevin Durant's Houston Rockets 125–124 in double overtime at Paycom Center. Reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had five points at halftime, finished with 35 points and sank two clutch free throws with 2.3 seconds left in the second overtime after drawing a foul from Durant. Durant — making his Houston debut and loudly booed — had 23 points and nine rebounds and fouled out on the decisive sequence. Alperen Şengün led the Rockets with 39 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, while Chet Holmgren added 28 for the Thunder. The game featured a controversial late timeout situation that helped force the second overtime. Jalen Williams remained sidelined recovering from wrist surgery as the Thunder showed depth in their title defense.