Two Nights — Two Storylines: SGA's Clutch in Oklahoma and the Warriors' Composed Surge in Los Angeles

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Salid Martik
22/10/25
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The NBA regular season opened with drama in the league’s finest tradition. In Oklahoma City, the reigning champions pulled out a grueling thriller against "Houston," squeezing the opponent only after two extra periods. On the other coast, "Golden State" methodically took apart the "Lakers" endgame, neutralizing Luka Dončić’s near triple-double performance.

Oklahoma City — Houston: A Marathon Decided by One Possession

The "Thunder" edged the "Rockets" — 125:124 — in an extended finish on the Paycom Center floor (quarters: 27:30, 24:27, 24:22, 29:25; OT1 — 11:11, OT2 — 10:9). The hosts trailed at halftime (51:57) but gradually seized the tempo: perimeter defense and discipline in transition offense restored balance by the end of regulation — 104:104.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was decisive in the clutch. His 35 points, built on steady advantages out of isolations and pick-and-rolls, came with 5 rebounds and 5 assists — exactly the kind of leadership impact that kept "Oklahoma" afloat late. Chet Holmgren added 28 points and 7 boards, stretching Houston’s defense with his range and disrupting possessions on the weak side. From the starting five, Cason Wallace (14+7 rebounds), Isaiah Hartenstein (6+9), and Lu Dort (6) were impactful — collectively they closed down looks along the arc and kept the visitors from owning the glass down the stretch.

The "Thunder" bench chipped in as well: Mitchell (16) pushed the pace with the second unit, Aaron Wiggins (10) and Alex Caruso (8) added physicality and steals, Jalen Williams (2) handled the dirty work, while Barnhizer and Youngblood supplied fresh legs in brief stints.

Sengun Kept the "Rockets" in It Until the Final Possession

"Houston" showed maturity. Alperen Sengun delivered a star turn: 39 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists — working through handoffs and screen actions to unwind the hosts’ defense, while his frame and footwork consistently won deep position in the paint. Kevin Durant added 23 points and 9 boards, Amen Thompson (18) and Jabari Smith (16) sustained the pace from deep and in early offense, and Steven Adams (4+13 rebounds) provided second chances. Off the bench, Sheppard (9) and Josh Okogie (8) added scoring; Clint Capela (4) and Tari Eason (3) soaked up minutes. But over two overtimes Shai was the sharper one: a single mid-range make — and the "Rockets’" painstaking work for the night unraveled.

"Lakers" — "Golden State": The Third Quarter as a Verdict

At Crypto.com Arena, the "Warriors" won 119:109 (22:28, 32:27, 25:35, 30:29). The flow swung on a post-halftime burst that’s classic for Steve Kerr’s team — "+10" in the third. For the hosts, Luka Dončić carried as much as possible: 43 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists — nearly a triple-double, creating shots for teammates from anywhere. But Austin Reaves’ 5 turnovers (26+9 assists) and defensive slippage against the "Warriors’" split action and weak-side movement cost LA control of the rhythm. Deandre Ayton (10), Rui Hachimura (9), and Gabe Vincent (3) offered modest starter contributions; off the bench — Marcus Smart (9), LaRavia (5), Jaxson Hayes (4), Jarred Vanderbilt (0) — couldn’t flip the momentum.

For the visitors it was shared responsibility and smart ball movement. Jimmy Butler scored 31, Stephen Curry added 23, and Jonathan Kuminga (17+9 rebounds+6 assists) served as the glue for side actions and extra possessions. Draymond Green closed everything between the lines as usual (8+7+9), Bazz Podziemski collected 7+7 on additional possessions, and Buddy Hield poured in 17 off the bench to stretch the "Lakers" defense. On nights like this, "Golden State" wins with discipline: the ball moves faster than the defense’s feet.

Numbers That Illuminate the Night

  • — Oklahoma City erased "-6" by halftime and leveled it at the end of regulation: 104:104. First overtime — 11:11, the win arrived in the second — 10:9.
  • — The "Lakers" lost the third period 25:35 — that "-10" proved to be the decisive gap.
  • — Leaders of the night: Gilgeous-Alexander — 35, Holmgren — 28; for the "Rockets" — Sengun 39, Durant 23. In Los Angeles — Dončić 43; for the "Warriors" — Butler 31 and Curry 23, with strong support from Kuminga and Green across categories.

The Season’s First Chord: Quick Takeaways

The "Thunder" confirmed they have a Plan A for the clutch — the ball with SGA, space created by Holmgren, and the rest of the five holding lanes with discipline. The "Rockets" already look like a team with a clear, working identity around Sengun. "Golden State" reminded everyone that its trademark third quarter is no myth but a repeatable habit. The "Lakers" got the message: without protecting the paint and controlling turnovers, it’s hard to convert star-level offense into wins over elite attacks. The opening was loud — the season promises to get even more compelling.

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