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The Thunder's star player scored the decisive baskets late in a second overtime period as the Oklahoma City Thunder opened their NBA title defense with a narrow victory over the Houston Rockets.

The reigning MVP scored a team-high 35 points, featuring two clutch free throws with just 2.3 seconds left in the second overtime, securing the titleholders a winning beginning.

The Rockets' big man top-scored with 39 points and also hit a career-high five shots from beyond the arc.

But the Thunder's rookie, who added 28 points of his own, played a major role alongside the game's hero.

"Determination and defence," SGA said of their performance. "We know that when we execute defensively we give ourselves a chance no matter what's going on—shots, missed attempts, fortune or bad luck. We did enough defence to get the win. We're still shaking off rust, but it's a good start."

Before the game, the team's title banner was unveiled at their home court, while the squad were presented with their championship rings.

Oklahoma City beat the Indiana Pacers in the previous season's best-of-seven NBA Finals. It was their first title since the team moved in 2008 to Oklahoma City from Seattle, who had claimed the 1979 title.

Indiana will have the opportunity to secure some payback on Friday when they face Oklahoma, while the Rockets return to action on the same day at the Detroit Pistons.

Elsewhere, a massive performance of 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists from the Slovenian star was not enough to prevent his new team the Lakers from falling to a 119-109 loss against the Golden State Warriors.

Miami's star picked up 31 points and Stephen Curry chipped in 23 for the visiting Warriors.

Los Angeles were without the NBA's all-time leading scorer LeBron James as he is recovering from sciatica.