Overview
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sank two free throws with 2.3 seconds left in the second overtime for a 125-124 Thunder win after Kevin Durant committed the foul and picked up his sixth.
- Durant’s Houston debut in Oklahoma City drew boos, included a missed late free throw in regulation, and followed reports of his two-year, $90 million extension with the Rockets.
- Alperen Şengün powered Houston with 39 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, while Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 and Chet Holmgren added 28 for the defending champions.
- Golden State beat the Lakers 119-109 as LeBron James sat with sciatica that is expected to sideline him into November, with Luka Dončić posting 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists in defeat.
- With Fred VanVleet out long term for Houston and other key health questions across contenders, early analysis points to a fluid field, with the Cavaliers and Knicks viewed as leading Eastern threats.