Overview
- Defending champion Oklahoma City opened its title defense with a 125-124 double-overtime win over Houston after a ring and banner ceremony in OKC.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 35 points and hit two game-winning free throws with 2.3 seconds left in the second OT, while Chet Holmgren added 28 and Ajay Mitchell scored 16 with a four-point play before halftime.
- Alperen Şengün led the Rockets with 39 points and five three-pointers; Kevin Durant scored 23 in his Houston debut, was booed in Oklahoma City, and committed the late foul that preceded Gilgeous-Alexander’s winning free throws.
- Golden State beat the Lakers 119-109 in Los Angeles as Jimmy Butler scored 31 and Stephen Curry had 23, with the Warriors’ perimeter shooting—boosted by Buddy Hield’s five threes—proving decisive.
- Luka Dončić delivered 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists in his Lakers debut, while LeBron James missed the opener with a back/sciatica issue and is expected to be out until mid-November.