Shai Gilgeous-Alexander bought the higher of Kevin Durant and the defending champion Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder bought the brand new season off with a win.
Gilgeous-Alexander was removed from his greatest and described the win as “ugly” after the Thunder edged out the Houston Rockets 125-124 in second time beyond regulation.
The reigning MVP scored 35 factors, together with each game-winning free throws with 2.3 seconds left after being fouled by former Thunder celebrity Kevin Durant, who was making his Rockets debut.
All in regards to the win for SGA
Gilgeous-Alexander was a little bit rusty however admitted getting the win was all that mattered.
“I should be higher,” he mentioned. “We should be higher than what we simply did. We’re going to be a greater workforce in a number of months, however I totally consider this workforce will use tonight as a studying expertise.
“It was ugly tonight, however I’d moderately or not it’s ugly in a win than a loss for positive.”
Gilgeous-Alexander struggled within the first half for any form of fluency however coach Mark Daigneault was delighted together with his willpower to get the job finished, regardless of the way it appeared.
“He simply stays within the sport,” Daigneault mentioned. “It wasn’t an ideal evening for him, however he simply stays in it. He understands the 48-minute nature. He understands the 82-game nature. It’s not all the time going to be excellent. And tonight wasn’t excellent for us collectively. And the blokes simply form of performed the subsequent play, by no means misplaced our focus or resolve.”
It was a landmark evening for the Thunder who raised the Championship banner earlier than the sport for the primary time in Oklahoma Metropolis.
“It felt prefer it was going up for 10 minutes,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned. “It was a tremendous second. I’ll keep in mind it for the remainder of my life.”
