Last season’s MVP scored 35 points, including two from the free-throw line with just 2.3 seconds remaining in second overtime, to get the champions off to a positive start.

Houston’s Alperun Sengun top-scored with 39 and also hit a career-high five three-pointers.

But Chet Holmgren, who scored 28 points for the Thunder, played a major role alongside match-winner Gilgeous-Alexander.

“Grit, determination and defence,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of their performance.

“We know that when we do it (on defence) we give ourselves a chance no matter what’s going on – makes, misses, good luck or bad luck. We did enough defence to get the win. We’re pretty rusty, but it’s a good start.”

Prior to the game, Oklahoma’s championship banner was raised at their home court, while the players were presented with championship rings.

The Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers in last season’s best-of-seven NBA Finals. It was their first title since the franchise moved in 2008 to Oklahoma City from Seattle, who had won the 1979 crown.

The Pacers will have the chance to secure some early revenge on Friday when they host Oklahoma, while the Rockets return to action on the same day at the Detroit Pistons.

Elsewhere, a huge effort of 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists from Luka Doncic was not enough to prevent his new team the Los Angeles Lakers from falling to a 119-109 defeat against the Golden State Warriors.

Jimmy Butler picked up 31 points and Stephen Curry added 23 for the visiting Warriors.

The Lakers were without the NBA’s all-time leading scorer LeBron James as he recovers from sciatica.

The move was first announced last month but was confirmed on Sunday when the league’s new year officially started.

The Atlanta Hawks, the Brooklyn Nets, the Golden State Warriors, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers are also involved in the deal, which involves 13 players and several future draft picks being exchanged.

The previous record for the largest trade in NBA history was six teams, set last summer when Klay Thompson joined the Dallas Mavericks.

Durant, 36, was named the 2014 Most Valuable Player, won two NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors, and is a 15-time All-Star.

He also won four Olympic golds with the US basketball team.

“My time in Phoenix has come to an end,” he posted on social media.

“All these stops along the journey have really impacted me in a positive way. Remember it’s a world behind the scenes, and those who make things work in that space, work tirelessly to make our lives easier as players.

“I truly believe this NBA is a one big community. Much love to Arizona. Houston, Can’t Wait!”

Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said: “His skill level, love of basketball, and dedication to his craft have made him one of the most respected players of his generation, and my staff and I are excited to work with him.”

Houston finished second in the Western Conference last season but were knocked out of the play-offs in the first round.

“One of the greatest to ever play the game, we are grateful for the impact Kevin made on our organization and in our community,” Phoenix general manager Brian Gregory said.

“As a member of the Suns, he climbed the scoring charts to become just the eighth player in NBA history to score 30,000 career points, and we wish him the best as he continues his career in Houston.”

Who gets what in the seven-team deal?

Under the deal, Houston get Durant and 31-year-old Swiss centre Clint Capela from Atlanta – he started his career at the Rockets.

From the Rockets, the Suns pick up 18-year-old South Sudanese centre Khaman Maluach, who was the 10th overall pick in June’s NBA draft, as well as forward Dillon Brooks and guard Jalen Green. The Suns also get Atlanta wing Daeqwon Plowden, Minnesota forward Rasheer Fleming and Golden State guard Koby Brea, as well as two future draft picks.

The Hawks, meanwhile, receive David Roddy, cash, and a 2031 draft pick swap from Houston.

Brooklyn obtained two future second-round picks and sent a draft pick, forward Adou Thiero, to the Lakers.

The Warriors obtained Australian forward Alex Toohey, who was initially drafted by the Suns, and guard Jahmai Mashack, the last pick in the draft for the Rockets.

Minnesota landed two future draft picks from the Suns and 18-year-old Australian centre Rocco Zikarsky, a draft pick from the Lakers.

The Warriors led the best-of-seven series 3-1 before the Rockets pulled level at 3-3 going into the final game in Houston.

Curry scored 14 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter while team-mate Buddy Hield sank nine three-pointers in his game-high haul of 33 as the pair helped the Warriors set up a Western Conference semi-final against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“A lot of resilience and everybody stepping up,” said Curry when asked what was needed to secure the win.

“Everybody’s been talking about our team the last two games in terms of our execution, our energy, all that.

“We blocked it all out and just understood we had 48 minutes to dig deep. Everybody contributed. Buddy Hield was unbelievable.”

Jimmy Butler, who joined the Warriors in a trade from Miami Heat in February, contributed 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

“For us to build chemistry on the fly and build trust on the fly and perform like we did in a game seven, it means the world,” added Curry.

“So, mission accomplished – step one.”

The Rockets were second in the Western Conference regular season compared to the Warriors’ seventh-place finish.

Houston’s defeat in the decider meant they failed to become the 14th team to come from 3-1 behind to win a NBA play-off series.

Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers won 121-112 at the Cleveland Cavaliers to take a 1-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semi-final play-off series.

Andrew Nembhard top scored for the Pacers with 23 points while team-mate Tyrese Haliburton added 22.

The Cavaliers, who finished top of the Eastern Conference, were beaten for the first time in this season’s play-offs following their 4-0 first-round play-off series victory against Miami.

“We’re definitely the heavy underdog, but we’re trying to control what we can,” said Haliburton. “It gives us a lot of momentum for sure, but this is the best team in our conference. They don’t lose much.”

Experienced point guard VanVleet starred for the Rockets, adding eight assists and eight rebounds to his points haul, while Alperen Sengun recorded a double-double with 21 points and 14 rebounds.

The Warriors held a commanding 3-1 lead in the series but have twice failed to close it out, losing to the Rockets in game five on Wednesday and again in game six on Friday.

Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said of VanVleet: “He’s had some really good stretches lately.

“He knows what it is. He’s been a champion. Been there, done that. So I wouldn’t expect anything less than that from him.”

Warriors coach Steve Kerr added: “I thought we got some good looks against the zone but then, once they pulled away by 10 or 12, it was easier for them to run us off the line.”

The Rockets will host game seven on Sunday, with the winning team to face the Minnesota Timberwolves who clinched a 4-1 win against the Los Angeles Lakers.

The seventh-seeded Warriors made it successive wins in Houston, with Curry also adding six rebounds and three assists.

Jimmy Butler chipped in with a further 25 points, seven rebounds and six assists to hand Golden State a 1-0 series lead – with Game 2 scheduled for Thursday.

“Steph was incredible. He was incredible,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.

“With that type of pressure on him from [Amen] Thompson and others, he just made some amazing plays and, obviously, carried us offensively along with Jimmy.”

The Rockets, seeded second in the play-offs, endured a disappointing end to the regular season with three successive defeats and have lost back-to-back games at home.

Ime Udoka’s side are featuring in the play-offs for the first time since 2019-20, when they lost against the Los Angeles Lakers in the semi-finals.

“I wouldn’t say the moment, I would say the physicality at times, going after guys, and just play-off basketball,” Udoka said when asked if a lack of experience cost his side.

“It’s not really about the moment. Going into the lane, trying to shoot over too many and not finding your outlets is a big thing and a big key for us all year.”

Elsewhere, the Cleveland Cavaliers sealed a 121-100 win against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference play-offs.

Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points with Ty Jerome adding 28 points and Darius Garland scoring 27.

Jerome, who picked up 16 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter, was making his play-off debut.

Durant matched his career-high of 16 assists to make it a triple-double, while Devin Booker added 20 points.

The defeat is the Rockets’ third in four games, despite impressive performances from Alperen Sengun, with 24 points, and Jalen Green with 23.

Also on Wednesday, the Cleveland Cavaliers came back from 20 points down to beat the Dallas Mavericks 113-110.

Jarrett Allen scored 24 points and grabbed 23 rebounds for Cleveland, and Caris LeVert tallied 29 points, while Mavericks’ Luka Doncic continued his fine run of form with 39 points – the third consecutive game he has reached at least that mark.

Doncic drained a three-pointer with 17.1 seconds remaining to bring the Mavs within three points, but his efforts were in vain as time expired.

Elsewhere, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 32 points as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Brooklyn Nets 144-122.

Seven players posted double figures to earn Milwaukee their eighth win from nine games.

The Toronto Raptors beat the Washington Wizards 132-102 to end their three-game losing run, with OG Anunoby scoring 26 points and Pascal Siakam adding a further 22 for the Raptors.

The Philadelphia 76ers toppled the Orlando Magic 112-92 with six Philadelphia players reaching double figures, including Tyrese Maxey with 23 and Tobias Harris and De’Anthony Melton adding 22 each.

Jalen Williams scored a career-high 36 points and team-mate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander matched his haul as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the New York Knicks 129-120.

Curry and Klay Thompson each made five three-pointers as Houston lost for the fifth time on the road this season.

The victory is the Warriors’ first win in three matches since Draymond Green began a five-game ban.

Also on Monday, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks to a 142-129 over the Washington Wizards.

Antetokounmpo made 20 of his 23 attempts to finish with 42 points, while he added 13 rebounds and eight assists.

The Denver Nuggets overcame the ejection of two-time Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic and head coach Michael Malone to claim a 107-103 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

Jokic exited with 1:22 left in the first half after giving up two technical fouls, while Malone was ejected after arguing a call late in the first quarter.

Reggie Jackson led the reigning champions with 21 points while the Pistons slumped to a 12th straight loss.

Meanwhile, French teenager Victor Wembanyama, the number one draft pick, was restricted to just nine points as the San Antonio Spurs lost their ninth successive match – beaten 124-99 by the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Miami Heat cruised to a 118-100 win at the Chicago Bulls, with Bam Adebayo and Duncan Robinson scoring 23 and 22 points respectively.

Brandon Ingram scored 32 points, hitting all five of his attempted three-pointers, to power the New Orleans Pelicans to a 129-93 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

Elsewhere, Jayson Tatum’s 45-point display was not enough for the Boston Celtics who were beaten 121-118 by the Charlotte Hornets, with Miles Bridges hitting a match-winning three-pointer with six seconds left in overtime.

Anthony Edwards scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the New York Knicks 117-100 in Minneapolis.

James, who also added eight assists and six rebounds, made one of two free throws to give Los Angeles the lead with 1.9 seconds remaining.

Dillon Brooks missed a three-point attempt for the Rockets at the buzzer.

It is the Lakers’ fifth win in six games since their 128-94 thrashing by Houston earlier this month.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Kevin Durant scored 39 points to help lift the Phoenix Suns to a 140-137 double overtime win over the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City.

Devin Booker added a pair of free throws in the final moments of second overtime as the Suns won for the second time in Utah in three nights.

NBA champions the Denver Nuggets fell to a 121-109 defeat by the Cleveland Cavaliers, who claimed a third straight win despite the absence of star guard Donovan Mitchell and top reserve Caris LeVert.

Joel Embiid scored 32 points within three quarters to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 121-99 victory at the Brooklyn Nets.

The reigning Most Valuable Player fell just short of a sixth career triple-double as he added 12 rebounds and nine assists.

Meanwhile, Domantas Sabonis scored a game-high 32 points and De’Aaron Fox added 30 as the Sacramento Kings defeated the Dallas Mavericks 129-113 for a sixth straight win.

The Boston Celtics also stretched their winning run to six as they beat the Memphis Grizzlies 102-100.

Kristaps Porzingis had 26 points, eight rebounds and six blocked shots, including a crucial block to deny Zaire Williams at the buzzer.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 points in just 23 minutes on court as the Oklahoma City Thunder thrashed the Portland Trail Blazers 134-91 for a fifth successive win.

Elsewhere, the Orlando Magic beat the Indiana Pacers 128-116 in Indianapolis, with 24 points from Paolo Banchero and 19 from Franz Wagner.

Pascal Siakam scored 23 points as the Toronto Raptors secured a 142-113 win over the Detroit Pistons, who slumped to an 11th straight defeat.