Rockets Push Defending Champs to the Brink in Double-OT Loss to Thunder

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder escaped with a 125–124 double-overtime victory over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night at Paycom Center, spoiling Kevin Durant’s first game back in Oklahoma City since joining Houston.

Durant, booed throughout the night, totaled 23 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists while holding Thunder scorers to 1-for-13 shooting as the primary defender. His foul on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 2.3 seconds left in the second overtime sent the MVP to the line for the deciding free throws.

Alperen Şengün led Houston with 39 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists, hitting 5-of-10 from three-point range. Amen Thompson added 18 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds, and Jabari Smith Jr. finished with 16 points and 5 boards. Tari Eason contributed 3 points off the bench.

Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 35 points and 5 assists, while Chet Holmgren scored 28 points with 7 rebounds. Cason Wallace added 14, and Aaron Wiggins had 10.

Houston shot 43-for-97 (44.3%) from the field and 11-for-39 (28.2%) from three, outrebounding Oklahoma City 52-38 but committing 26 turnovers. The Thunder shot 46-for-104 (44.2%) overall and 13-for-52 (25%) from deep, overcoming 27 turnovers of their own.

Down one with 2.3 seconds remaining, Houston went to Smith Jr., whose jumper from the left side missed at the buzzer, sealing the Thunder’s win.

Houston (0-1) hosts the Detroit Pistons on Friday, while Oklahoma City (1-0) travels to face the Indiana Pacers on Thursday.