2025-26 NBA Tip Off Recap: Thunder hold of Rockets, Warriors take down Lakers

By: R. Keenan

October 22nd, 2025 12:00pm EST

The NBA officially returned last night with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder hosted the Houston Rockets to kick of the season. The Thunder celebrated before the game receiving brand new championship rings, and raising a banner to celebrate the Thunder franchise first even championship. Following the festivities, the game tipped off and was exciting, with tension, offense, defense and controversey from beginning all the way until the last whistle in double overtime.

(TROY TAORMINA, TROY TAORMINA-IMAGN IMAGES)

In what was a back and forth battle all game it only seemed fitting that the game was tied at the end of regulation. Late in the game Rockets Alperen Sengun hit a go ahead layup with 38 seconds left to put the Rockets up 103-102. Later in the 4th with just 9 seconds left KD was sent to the line to shoot 2 free throws with Houston still up by 1, although KD was only able to make 1 free throw which gave them a 104-102 lead. SGA and the Thunder came down the floor where SGA worked his magic to get a clean 15 foot midrange shot off with 2 seconds left to tie the game at 104. The Rockets then got a look from Sengun for the win, but he came up empty resulting in the game heading to overtime. Althought the first overtime ended with some debate. With the game tied at 115 with 2 seconds left SGA took a jumper for the win which did not fall leading to a rebound by Keving Durant and the Rockets with 2.2 on the clock. KD came down with the ball and called timeout at least 3 times, to no avail. The refs never called the timeout, which they should have, but this was actaully a good result for Houston. The Rockets had no timeouts remaining and this would have led to a OKC technical free throw if the timeout had been awarded. So on they went to the second over time.

Once again the second overtime had the same energy and exciment from the rest of the game. Back and forth all the way until the end in which SGA found his spot on the floor for a midrange jumper with 2.3 seconds left and a 124-124 score. SGA hit a little hesi and pumpfake causing KD to jump just a little and bump into SGA putting him at the line for two free throws in which he sank both and gave the Thunder a 126-124 lead. Houston's Jabari Smith Jr got an attempt at the end of the game that came up short and OKC escaped with a victory in a thrilling beginning to the new season.

Alperen Sengun was the highest scorer of the game netting 39 points with 11 rebounds and 7 assists. KD added 23 points in his Rockets debut, along with Amen Thompson who scored 18. SGA provided 35 for the Thunder with 5 rebounds and 5 assists, and Chet added 28 points along with 7 rebounds to lead OKC to the victory. OKC heads to Indina for a Final rematch against the Pacers on Thursday at 7:30pm EST while the Rockets play again at home on Friday against Cade Cunningham and the Pistons.

(AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

The late game saw the oldest team in the NBA Golden State Warriors dismantle the LA Lakers without LeBron James 119-109 to start the year 1-0. Steph is joined this year with Draymond Green as the two of them look to capture a 5th championship ring with the Warriors. Golden State led for just about the entirety of the game as Jimmy Butler scored 31 with Currys 23 points to hold of Luka and the Lakers. Luka did all he could to help LA with 43 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists. Although, with little support from the rest of the team besides Austin Reaves who connecte for 26 points it was not enough to come out on top. The Lakers start the year 1-0 and look to rebound on Friday in a mathcup with the Timberwolves in Los Angeles. The Warriors head to Denver to take on Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets Thursay night at 10pm EST.