Talk about a finish. Heart rates were at all-time highs. People lost a few strands of hair. The Oklahoma City Thunder survived with a 125-124 double overtime win over the Houston Rockets. NBC couldn't have asked for a more exciting outcome for its 2025-26 Opening Night.

The OKC Thunder and the Houston Rockets opened the 2025-26 NBA season on Tuesday at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. Tuesday's opening night also included the ring ceremony for the reigning champion Thunder. OKC began its title defense against the retooled Rockets, which finished at No. 2 in the Western Conference behind the Thunder.

Alperen Sengun was brilliant with 39 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and five 3-pointers, but Houston had too many mistakes in a close loss at OKC.

Jimmy Butler led the Golden State Warriors to a road win over the Los Angeles Lakers on opening night while the Oklahoma City Thunder outlasted the Houston Rockets on opening night.

That said, a 40-year-old LeBron James will miss the Lakers' opener against the Warriors. The four-time league MVP and four-time NBA champ is dealing with sciatica and is reportedly eying a mid-November return. James' early-season absence could set the stage for the beginning of a Dončić MVP campaign.

The Oklahoma City Thunder open the defense of their first NBA title Tuesday night when they host the Houston Rockets.