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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered the winning points deep into a second overtime period as the defending champions opened their championship campaign with a narrow victory over the Houston Rockets.

Last season's MVP scored a team-high 35 points, including two from the free-throw line with just 2.3 seconds remaining in the second overtime, giving the titleholders a positive start.

The Rockets' big man top-scored with 39 points and also hit a personal-best five shots from beyond the arc.

But Chet Holmgren, who contributed 28 points, was instrumental alongside the game's hero.

"Determination and defense," Gilgeous-Alexander commented of their performance. "We know that when we execute defensively we give ourselves a opportunity no matter what's going on—makes, missed attempts, fortune or misfortune. We did enough defence to get the win. We're pretty rusty, but it's a good start."

Prior to the game, the team's title banner was raised at their arena, while the squad were awarded their title rings.

The Thunder defeated the Pacers in the previous season's best-of-seven NBA Finals. It was their first title since the franchise relocated in 2008 to Oklahoma City from Seattle, who had claimed the 1979 title.

Indiana will have the chance to secure some early revenge on this Friday when they face Oklahoma, while the Houston are back on court on the same day at the Pistons.

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

Miami's star picked up 31 points and Golden State's sharpshooter chipped in 23 points for the road team.

Los Angeles were missing the NBA's all-time leading scorer LeBron James as he recovers from a back issue.