Houston Rockets

Thunder Win Double OT THRILLER on 2025 Ring Night over the Rockets

Brandon Ellis

What a Game to start the 2025-26 NBA season between the defending NBA Champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Houston Rockets. A Double-Overtime Thriller that led to a 125-124 Thunder victory with some amazing play on both sides of the floor, some controversial moments with officiating, the dropping of the banner of the defending champs, and so much more. Here are some of my reactions to this atomic bomb of a game to start the new NBA season.

SGA’s 4th Quarter and Overtime Won This Game For Thunder

Shai Gilgeous Alexander had a pedestrian first three quarters with 13 points, but the reigning 2025 Finals MVP took the game over starting in the fourth quarter. It was beautiful to watch SGA work against the Rockets’ defense in that quarter, especially against the multiple defensive coverages that Ime Udoka deployed in this game against last season’s scoring champ. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 points in the fourth quarter and both overtime periods, including the game-winning free throws with 2.3 seconds left in that second overtime period. That was a sight to see, but another story was a certain Rockets star, and it’s not the one you’re thinking of.

Alperen Sengun Was a Breakout

Alperen Sengun vs Thunder
Oct 21, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

This Rockets team was anticipated to watch because of Kevin Durant joining this young nucleus, but one of those characters stole the show. While Durant had 23 points on the night, Alperen Sengun was the star for Houston in this game by far. Sengun had 39 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and a block in this thriller. He also added to his three-point range a bit over the summer, apparently as well. After only making 21 three-pointers in 24-25, in Game 1, he was 5-for-8 from behind the arc in the loss. A potential reason for that loss is my next takeaway from this game.

Houston’s Lack of a Point Guard Is A Weakness

The Rockets are in search of a point guard who can run the offense smoothly. At times, Amen Thompson would be that guy to run the ship, but he did get injured late in this game and was forced to miss a chunk of the overtime periods, and showed his immaturity at times as a point guard. But what most people are going to be paying attention to is second-year player Reed Shepard.

Shepard barely played in his rookie year is an excuse some people might use, but the fact that he’s more of a two guard in this league and was a two guard at Kentucky as well is a dangerous sign if Udoka doesn’t coach him up quickly when it comes to him being the backup point guard. It’s clear Houston wants to play bigger with the length they have, but to do that, they have to have more consistent ball handling from either Thompson or Sheppard.

Final Thoughts

Chet Holmgren also evolved his game a bit as well as he was more aggressive with Oklahoma City without the services of Jalen Williams (wrist surgery). Holmgren had 28 points (18 first-half points) in this game, and he was getting in a rhythm early and was still a great defender. Holmgren is going to be the key to the Thunder’s chances to start that dynasty that they want. Meanwhile, for the Rockets, Durant has to be the catalyst and can’t be idle for so long like he was on Tuesday night.

 

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