Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander addressed a pivotal moment from Tuesday night’s 125–124 double-overtime win over the Houston Rockets, confirming that referees missed Kevin Durant’s apparent timeout request in the first overtime.
“Kevin definitely called timeout about three times verbally and physically with his hands. I think the refs just missed it,” Gilgeous-Alexander said during the postgame press conference. He added, “But that’s life. You make mistakes in life and you move on.”
The reigning MVP finished with 35 points after scoring only five in the first half, including two clutch free throws with 2.3 seconds remaining in the second overtime to seal the victory. Gilgeous-Alexander’s composure under pressure proved decisive in a game that marked the Thunder’s 2025 NBA championship banner unveiling and ring ceremony.
Gilgeous-Alexander described the night as “surreal,” highlighting the emotional experience of seeing the championship banner raised while leading his team through a challenging contest. “It was super fun… knowing that it’ll be up there forever and we are the first group to bring the city a championship was a pretty special feeling,” he said.
Despite the distractions, the Thunder managed to maintain focus against Houston’s aggressive defense. Gilgeous-Alexander credited the team’s preparation and resilience. “We just find a way to gut out a victory on a night that was a little funky,” he said, noting the unusual circumstances of opening night did not affect their performance.
He also reflected on the final possession, explaining his approach against Durant. “I was just looking for space to get off a comfortable shot… and I saw an opportunity to take advantage of it, and it worked in our favor,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. He emphasized staying in the moment rather than worrying about the magnitude of defending or being defended by a star like Durant.
Gilgeous-Alexander acknowledged that the win highlighted areas for improvement. “We need to get better… I have full belief and confidence in this team that we will be. We’ll use tonight as a learning experience,” he said, pointing to the importance of growth and preparation for the season ahead.
The double-overtime opener also featured Kevin Durant’s return to Oklahoma City as a Rocket, drawing heavy boos from fans. Durant tallied 23 points and nine rebounds before fouling out, which set up Gilgeous-Alexander’s game-winning free throws and cemented the Thunder’s narrow victory.
