The NBA season is off to an incredible start. In the first game of the season, Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets took on the defending champions. It was ring night in Oklahoma City for the Thunder, and both teams wanted to get a win to start the year. And while fans expected a good show, the game exceeded every expectation.
For only the sixth time in NBA history, the season opener went into double overtime. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied it up at the end of regulation to force OT. KD then almost had a Chris Webber moment and lost the game for Houston, but didn’t. Finally, it was free throws that settled it. And while that may sound anticlimactic, fans still loved every second.
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“That was a whole movie, well done,” wrote one fan. “OKC starts 1-0 as defending champions. What a game! Wow!!” said another.
“The NBA is back man, NBC crushed it, and the game was somehow even better?” commented a third. “First game double OT!! Welcome back NBA!! You were so missed!!!” a fourth fan said.
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“Thunder-Rockets have a close game. Players are diving for the ball, SGA flopping again. The NBA is really back, fellas!” wrote a fifth fan. “First night back on NBC and the Thunder and Rockets delivered an all-timer,” claimed a sixth.
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Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun drives against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso during overtime at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams
The game had some stellar individual performances. Alperen Sengun scored 39 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. SGA delivered an excellent 35-5-5 performance, too. If this is any sign of things to come, it’s going to be a phenomenal NBA season.
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