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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered the decisive points late in a second overtime period as the Oklahoma City Thunder started their championship campaign with a narrow victory over the visiting Rockets.

Last season's MVP scored a team-high 35 points, including two clutch free throws with just 2.3 seconds left in the second overtime, securing the titleholders a winning beginning.

The Rockets' big man led all scorers with a game-high 39 and also hit a career-high five shots from beyond the arc.

But the Thunder's rookie, who contributed 28 points of his own, was instrumental together with the game's hero.

"Determination and defence," SGA said of their performance. "We know that when we execute defensively we give ourselves a chance no matter what's going on—makes, misses, good luck or misfortune. We did enough defence to get the win. We're pretty rusty, but it's a positive beginning."

Before the game, Oklahoma's title banner was unveiled at their arena, while the players were presented with their title rings.

Oklahoma City beat the Indiana Pacers in the previous season's championship series. It was their first title since the team moved in 2008 to Oklahoma City from Seattle, who had claimed the 1979 crown.

Indiana will have the opportunity to get some payback on Friday when they host Oklahoma, while the Houston are back on court on the identical day at the Pistons.

In other action, a huge performance of 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine dimes from Luka Doncic was not enough to stop his current team the Lakers from suffering a 119-109 loss against the Golden State Warriors.

Jimmy Butler scored 31 points and Golden State's sharpshooter chipped in 23 for the visiting Warriors.

The Lakers were without the NBA's all-time leading scorer LeBron James as he is recovering from sciatica.