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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored the winning points late in double overtime as the Oklahoma City Thunder opened their championship campaign with a 125-124 victory over the Houston Rockets.

The reigning MVP scored a team-high 35 points, featuring two from the free-throw line with just mere seconds remaining in the second overtime, securing the titleholders a winning beginning.

Houston's Alperun Sengun led all scorers with 39 points and also connected on a career-high five three-pointers.

But Chet Holmgren, who added 28 points of his own, was instrumental together with the game's hero.

"Grit and defense," SGA commented of their showing. "We know that when we execute on defence we give ourselves a chance no matter what's going on—makes, misses, fortune or misfortune. We did sufficient defence to get the win. We're pretty rusty, but it's a positive beginning."

Prior to the tip-off, the team's title banner was raised at their arena, while the players were awarded their title rings.

Oklahoma City defeated the Pacers in the previous season's best-of-seven NBA Finals. It was their first title since the franchise moved in 2008 to Oklahoma City from Seattle, who had won the 1979 crown.

The Pacers will have the opportunity to secure some payback on this Friday when they face Oklahoma, while the Houston are back on court on the same day at the Detroit Pistons.

In other action, a huge performance of 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine dimes from Luka Doncic was not enough to prevent his current team the Los Angeles Lakers from falling to a 119-109 loss against the Golden State Warriors.

Miami's star picked up 31 points and Stephen Curry chipped in 23 for the visiting Warriors.

Los Angeles were without the NBA's all-time leading scorer LeBron James as he recovers from a back issue.