NBA opening night: Overtime drama in OKC; live updates from Lakers-Warriors
NBA fans couldn’t have asked for much more than what the 2025-26 season opener provided.
Behind clutch baskets — and free throws — from MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder outlasted the Houston Rockets in double overtime … on ring night … against former franchise icon Kevin Durant. KD’s new crew looked strong, however, showing the defending champs they have yet another challenger in the loaded Western Conference.
Speaking of the West, the Golden State Warriors, and Los Angeles Lakers are underway to end opening night. Luka Doncic debuts for his first full season with the Lakers — however, it will be without LeBron James, who is set to miss three or four weeks with sciatica.
As we tip off the NBA’s 80th season, here are the top highlights from the opening night games as well as postgame takeaways from our ESPN insiders.
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Rockets-Thunder Takeaways | Warriors-Lakers
Highlights from Warriors at Lakers
SGA’s clutchness knows no bounds
The scoring title was sweet. The MVP was a monumental achievement.
But what Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wants most is to be remembered as one of the NBA’s all-time winners.
On a night that celebrated the first massive step in that journey — seeing the 2024-25 championship banner raised to the Paycom Center rafters — Gilgeous-Alexander displayed the remarkable blend of grit and skill that gives him a chance to accomplish all of his lofty goals.
2:10
Thunder, Rockets open NBA season with 2OT thriller
The Thunder prevail on ring night with a hard-fought victory over the Rockets in double overtime.
Nothing came easy for Gilgeous-Alexander against a huge Houston squad with a ferocious defense featuring one of the NBA’s best perimeter stoppers in Amen Thompson. A tough task was made even more difficult with co-star Jalen Williams (wrist) relegated to wearing a black leather trench coat while watching from the bench. The double-teams came at Gilgeous-Alexander early and often.
Gilgeous-Alexander patiently waited as he was held to five points in the first half, fewer than any of his halftime totals from last season. He had only 11 at the end of the third quarter.
Then Gilgeous-Alexander took over to put the Thunder in position to win. He had a dozen points in the fourth quarter, including a couple of tough clutch pull-ups, the last one over Thompson to tie the score with seconds remaining.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 35 points, plus five rebounds, five assists, two steals, two blocks and several key plays that didn’t pop up in the box score. He hit the game-winning free throws after baiting Kevin Durant, the former Thunder great who has drawn the wrath of the OKC crowd since leaving, into a foul by pump-faking.
And Gilgeous-Alexander once again walked off the floor a winner.
— Tim MacMahon
Led by Sengun, Houston’s massive lineup shows promise
Alperen Sengun is thriving in his expanding role as an offensive engine for the Rockets, hitting a career-high five 3-pointers while becoming the second player in franchise history to open a season on multiple occasions with at least 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. The fourth-year veteran initiated most of Houston’s offense in the loss at OKC, scoring a game-high 39 points with 11 rebounds and a team-best seven assists in leading a starting unit that stood an average height of 82.2 inches — the tallest starting group in an opener since starters were first tracked in 1970-71, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Expect the Rockets to continue experimenting with this lineup, which included Thompson and Kevin Durant at guard, Jabari Smith Jr. and Sengun on the wings and Steven Adams at center. The offense remains a work in progress, but Houston limited OKC’s starters to 2 of 22 from deep in regulation.
— Michael C. Wright
Amen Thompson is a problem, but that 3-point jumper…
Thompson’s development is one of the most important NBA storylines this season, and the opener showcased the highest highs and lowest lows for the young guard, before he left the game in overtime with an apparent injury.
On the positive side, Thompson was the primary defender holding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in check for most of the night — Gilgeous-Alexander was noticeably more comfortable attacking every Rockets defender other than Thompson — and he shot 8-for-10 on 2-pointers. Thompson is so quick on his drives and strong fighting through contact that he looked almost unstoppable at the rim.
But on the negative side, the most important number for Houston on Tuesday was zero. That is, zero made 3-pointers from Thompson, who shot 0-for-7 from distance, with several ugly misses. Opposing defenses will gladly give Thompson all the open 3s he wants, as he made just 14% as a rookie and 27% as a sophomore.
Thompson is a valuable player regardless of his 3-point percentage, but if he can’t meaningfully improve from distance, Houston’s offense could remain cramped all season long. This one stat could determine the height of the Rockets’ ceiling as potential championship contenders.
— Zach Kram
