Houston Rockets fans were furious after Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drew a late second-overtime foul from the Rockets’ newest star, Kevin Durant. Gilgeous-Alexander went to the line for two free throws and sank them, giving the Thunder a 125-124 win over the Rockets as the 2025-26 NBA regular season got underway.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points on a night when the Thunder received their NBA championship rings for the 2024-25 season. Still, that didn’t matter to Rockets fans, who couldn’t believe that call was made on Durant.
What Were Rockets Fans Saying After SGA Free Throws?
One fan simply stated that it was some type of poetic ending that Gilgeous-Alexander ended the game like he did. The fan wrote on X, “So poetic the game was won with SGA at the FT line”.
So poetic the game was won with SGA at the FT line
— National Champion – Cleveland Sports Enthusiast (@vgkcle_enjoyer) October 22, 2025
On the play itself, video from the NBC telecast shows Gilgeous-Alexander with the ball. He leans in on Durant, steps back, and then leans in again. Durant is caught in the air, and contact is made. NBA referees on the court called Durant for the foul, which sent him to the Rockets’ bench for the rest of the game.
Masterful job from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander baiting KD
won them the game pic.twitter.com/fvzIt6OJz7 https://t.co/RkRCnGgc2r
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) October 22, 2025
One fan found it incredulous that the Rockets-Thunder game ended with free throws. This person wrote, “How do you end a game on FTs? Only SGA smh.”
How do you end a game on FTs? Only SGA smh.
— Vaquero Vázquez 🤠 (@CaptainVazquez) October 22, 2025
Another one indicated that Gilgeous-Alexander might have been gifted free throws in the final seconds, writing on X, “Once again, a great game ends with SGA being gifted free throws. This league is washed. SGA is nothing without the whistle.”
Once again, a great game ends with SGA being gifted free throws. This league is washed. SGA is nothing without the whistle.
— texmetro (@texmetro) October 22, 2025
A frustrated Rockets supporter absolutely didn’t like what was taking place on the court: “First game of the season ends with SGA shooting Free Throws”.
First game of the season ends with SGA shooting Free Throws #Noocting
— 𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐒 (@AnticsOnCourt) October 22, 2025
Meanwhile, another fan summed up bluntly, commenting, “Naturally it ends w an SGA foul bait & free throws”.
naturally it ends w an SGA foul bait & free throws https://t.co/WzWNROn3eO
— Ty (@balldontTy) October 22, 2025
Interestingly, Gilgeous-Alexander did not have a solid night at the free-throw line. For the game, he was 10-for-14 from the charity stripe. NBA followers have noticed that Gilgeous-Alexander is somewhat of a free-throw merchant, as he gets to the line pretty often when on the court.
Another side note: When James Harden was playing for the Rockets, he also had a history of playing the same type of basketball Gilgeous-Alexander was showing on Tuesday night.
Rockets fans will stew about the free throws for a bit. But the double-overtime game, even in a loss in Oklahoma City, was a solid way to start the season for both teams.
