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Thunder Edge Rockets in Double OT on Ring Night as Gilgeous-Alexander Sinks Late Free Throws

Kevin Durant’s Houston debut featured 23 points and two late miscues, including an uncalled timeout and the foul that ended his night.

Overview

  • With 2.3 seconds left in the second overtime, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drew Kevin Durant’s sixth foul and hit both free throws for a 125-124 win, and Jabari Smith Jr. missed Houston’s last shot.
  • At the end of the first overtime, Durant appeared to signal for a timeout when Houston had none; officials missed the violation despite Oklahoma City’s protests.
  • Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 35 points and Chet Holmgren added 28 for OKC; Alperen Şengün paced Houston with 39 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, while Durant posted 23 points and nine boards.
  • Oklahoma City raised its first championship banner and received rings before tipoff, as Durant was loudly booed in his return to his former home arena.
  • Postgame, Durant took responsibility for a missed late free throw and the decisive foul; Thunder coach Mark Daigneault declined to dwell on the no-call, and next up are Pacers-OKC on Thursday and Pistons-Rockets on Friday.