The Oklahoma City Thunder needed extra time to complete a rally and defeat the Houston Rockets, 125-124, in double overtime at the Paycom Center on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
This marked the sixth time in NBA history that a game on the league’s opening night went into double overtime.
The Thunder played from behind throughout most of the game, with the Rockets leading each of the first three quarters.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was limited to 11 points through the first three quarters of play before the reigning MVP came alive with 12 of his 23 points coming in the fourth quarter. He scored 12 points during the overtime periods, including a pair of clutch free throws in the final seconds of the game.
He also hit a 25-foot 3-pointer with 3:36 left in the first overtime period, as the Thunder managed to produce their biggest lead of the game, jumping ahead 110-104 after a 6-2 scoring run.
Thunder vs. Rockets highlights
Final: Thunder 125, Rockets 124 (2OT)
Alperen Sengun had a layup, following an assist from Kevin Durant, to put the Rockets up 124-123 in the final seconds of the second overtime period. It would’ve been the game-winning shot but Kevin Durant fouled out of the game and sent Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to the line.
The Thunder star made the pair of clutch free throws and the defense needed a stop at the other end before securing the win.
OT1: Rockets 115, Thunder 115
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit a 25-foot 3-pointer with 3:36 left in the first overtime period, as the Thunder managed to produce their biggest lead of the game after jumping ahead 110-104 after a 6-2 scoring run.
The Rockets tied the game up after Alperen Sengun dunked the ball with 8.8 seconds left in the period. Sengun had 35 points and Kevin Durant had 20 points for the Rockets.
Chet Holmgren and Gilgeous-Alexander each have 28 points for the Thunder.
Q4: Thunder 104, Rockets 104
Kevin Durant missed the first of two free throws in the final seconds of regulation for the Rockets. The failed opportunity to take a 3-point lead allowed for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to come down on the other end and make a jumper to tie the game at 104 with two seconds left on the game clock.
Gilgeous-Alexander came alive with 12 of his 23 total points coming in the final period of regulation.
Game is headed to overtime.
Thunder take lead from Rockets
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander provided the Thunder with the team’s first lead since 6:54 left in the second quarter. The reigning MVP made an 18-foot step back jumpshot with 1:28 left in the fourth quarter, putting OKC ahead 102-101.
Thunder, Rockets coming down to wire
The Thunder have played from behind throughout most of the game, but Isaiah Hartenstein helped cut into the Rockets’ lead, making it a two-point game after making a tip shot in for Oklahoma City. The Rockets lead the Thunder 97-95 with 3:07 left in the fourth quarter.
The Thunder have brought the game within three points of the Rockets on seven different occasions tonight, according to NBC’s Mike Tirico.
3Q: Rockets 79, Thunder 75
The Rockets have managed to hold a lead against the Thunder through the first quarter of play.
Alperen Sengun had 22 points to take over as the leading scorer for the Rockets. Kevin Durant added 17 points. Chet Holmgren went scoreless in the third quarter after scoring 18 points in the first half for OKC. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 11 points.
Halftime: Rockets 57, Thunder 51
Kevin Durant produced 14 points and five rebounds for the Rockets in the first half. He shot 6-of-11 from the field and 0-of-2 from the 3-point line in 20 minutes of play. Amen Thompson and Alperen Şengün contributed 10 points each.
Chet Holmgren had a game-high 18 points and four rebounds in 18 minutes of play. He shot 7-of-9 from the field. Ajay Mitchell had 12 points and two assists for the Thunder in nine minutes of play off the bench.
1Q: Rockets 30, Thunder 27
Amen Thompson scored a team-high 10 points, shooting 4-for-6, in the first 6:29 of the opening quarter for the Rockets. Kevin Durant is making his regular-season debut with the Rockets and scored eight points in the first quarter.
Chet Holmgren went 5-for-5 from the field and finished with 13 points in the first quarter for Oklahoma City. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was limited to three points after shooting 1-for-3 from the field.
There were 11 lead changes in the quarter, with the Rockets leading by as many as four points. The Thunder led by as many as three points.
Chet Holmgren, Amen Thompson with double-digit points early
Chet Holmgren leads the way for the Thunder, scoring 13 of the team’s 17 points in the first quarter. He is 5-for-5 from the field. The Rockets lead the Thunder 21-17 with 5:31 left in the quarter.
Amen Thompson scored 10 points for the Rockets after shooting 4-for-6 from the field. Kevin Durant has scored four points early on against his former team.
Thunder, Rockets keep game close early
Chet Holmgren hit a pair of free throws to give the Oklahoma City Thunder a 15-14 lead with 6:40 left in the first quarter against the Houston Rockets.
Houston Rockets starting lineup
Kevin Durant, Alperen Şengün, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. and Steven Adams started the season opener for the Houston Rockets against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday.
OKC Thunder starting lineup
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, Alex Caruso, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein make up the Thunder’s starting lineup for the season opener against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday.
OKC Thunder raise championship banner
The Oklahoma City Thunder celebrated their 2024-25 season on Tuesday in front of the home crowd, raising the organization’s second championship banner and their first since moving to the city.
What time does Rockets vs. Thunder game start?
The 2025-26 NBA season opener between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. local) in Oklahoma City.
What TV channel is broadcasting Rockets vs. Thunder?
NBC will televise the game between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder to kick off the 2025-26 NBA season.
Stream Rockets vs. Thunder with Fubo
How to watch and stream Rockets vs. Thunder
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. CT)
- Location: Paycom Center in Oklahoma City
- TV: NBC
- Stream: Fubo, Peacock
Rocket vs. Thunder latest line, odds
All odds via BetMGM as of Monday, Oct. 20.
- Spread: Thunder (-7.5)
- Moneyline: Thunder (-325); Rockets (+260)
- Over/Under: 227.5
Thunder unveil special patch for opening night
Oklahoma City’s jerseys are a little different for the opener.
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