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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored the winning points deep into double overtime as the Oklahoma City Thunder opened their championship campaign with a narrow win over the visiting Rockets.

Last season's MVP scored a team-high 35 points, including two clutch free throws with just mere seconds remaining in the second overtime, securing the champions a winning beginning.

The Rockets' big man led all scorers with a game-high 39 and also hit a career-high five shots from beyond the arc.

But Chet Holmgren, who contributed 28 points of his own, played a major role together with the game's hero.

"Grit and defence," SGA said of their performance. "We know that when we do it on defence we give ourselves a opportunity no matter what's going on—shots, misses, fortune or bad luck. We did sufficient defensive work 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 championship rings.

The Thunder beat the Pacers in last season's championship series. It was their first title since the team relocated in 2008 to Oklahoma City from Seattle, who had won the 1979 crown.

The Pacers will have the opportunity to get some payback on Friday when they face Oklahoma, while the Rockets are back on court on the identical day at the Pistons.

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

Jimmy Butler scored 31 points and Stephen Curry added 23 points for the road team.

The Lakers were missing the NBA's all-time leading scorer LeBron James as he recovers from a back issue.