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The Thunder's star player delivered the game-winning points late in double overtime as the defending champions started their championship campaign with a narrow victory over the Houston Rockets.

Last season's MVP poured in a team-high 35 points, including two from the free-throw line with just mere seconds left in the second overtime, securing the titleholders a winning beginning.

Houston's Alperun Sengun top-scored with 39 points and also hit a personal-best five three-pointers.

But the Thunder's rookie, who added 28 points of his own, was instrumental alongside match-winner Gilgeous-Alexander.

"Grit and defence," SGA said of their showing. "We know that when we execute defensively we give ourselves a opportunity no matter what's going on—shots, misses, fortune or bad luck. We did enough defence to secure the victory. We're pretty rusty, but it's a positive beginning."

Prior to the tip-off, the team's championship banner was raised at their arena, while the players were presented with their title rings.

Oklahoma City defeated the Indiana Pacers in last season's best-of-seven NBA Finals. It was their maiden championship since the team moved in 2008 to OKC from Seattle, who had won the 1979 crown.

The Pacers will have the opportunity to get some payback on Friday when they host Oklahoma, while the Houston return to action on the identical day at the Pistons.

Elsewhere, a huge performance of 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists from the Slovenian star was insufficient to stop his new 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 visiting Warriors.

The Lakers were without the league's top scorer LeBron James as he recovers from sciatica.