Oklahoma City Thunder basketball is back in full swing — at least, the preseason version of it.
A few days after taking down the San Antonio Spurs, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort made their 2024-25 debuts and played a big part in giving OKC a first half lead, but in the end, it was the Houston Rockets winning 122-113 in overtime.
Gilgeous-Alexander wasted no time getting into his bag, busting out an accelerated jumper and using it to hit a couple of pull-up three-pointers and get into a rhythm early. Gilgeous-Alexander also showed off his chemistry with Isaiah Hartenstein for the first time. Hartenstein and Gilgeous-Alexander were in sync on offense, displaying a level of comfortability using Hartenstein as a screener and getting Gilgeous-Alexander loose.
Chet Holmgren would often set screens for Gilgeous-Alexander last season, but Hartenstein’s physically imposing frame unlocks something for him that he hasn’t had since he ascended to superstardom.
OKC rode Gilgeous-Alexander to an early lead and they never looked back. After the first quarter, OKC led 29-20 and then Jalen Williams and SGA went to work in the second.
Williams looked noticeably more physical and also showed an increased willingness to let it fly from three, something that was a point of frustration for many OKC fans last season. Against Houston, Williams leaned into his outside shooting, getting up six attempts in just 16 minutes. Not only was Williams more aggressive from outside, but he maintained his usual efficiency, hitting three of his six attempts.
The on-court relationship between Holmgren and Hartenstein also stood out against the Rockets. OKC ran a handful of actions where its twin towers interacted with one another, including one where Hartenstein ran a pin-down that got Holmgren open. Holmgren caught the ball near the elbow before kicking the ball out to Dort, who faked out a defender and drove to the rim.
OKC’s starters and key reserves all looked the part against Houston and as a result, took a 13-point lead into the half.
The second half saw the Rockets fight back after Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren, Dort, Caruso, Williams and Hartenstein all called it a night after halftime.
Houston star Alperen Sengun was impressive in limited minutes and Houston’s slew of young talent all had their moments against the OKC reserves, but it was the third-quarter performance of Aaron Wiggins that kept the Thunder afloat as Houston began to nip at its heels.
Wiggins showed off an improved midrange game off the bounce in addition to his typical infusion of defense and spacing.
As the third quarter ended, OKC clung to a two-point lead and the end of the game came down to reserves against reserves.
It appeared the Thunder had the game under wraps, but the Rockets perfectly executed the miss a free throw on purpose routine late and Jack McVeigh hit a leaner as time expired to force overtime.
Overtime consisted of what will likely be the starting lineups for the OKC Blue and the Rio Grand Valley Vipers. In the end, Houston would come out on top, riding a dominant overtime performance to a preseason win.
The result wasn’t what OKC was hoping for, but the seamless chemistry of the starting lineup and Hartenstein continues to be a massive positive with the season roughly two weeks away. OKC has a quick turnaround with the New Zealand Breakers coming to the U.S. to play the Thunder in Tulsa Thursday night.
