With youth, grit, and a superstar at the helm, OKC storms to its first NBA title since 1979.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are
NBA champions once again, capping off one of the most remarkable seasons in league history with a 103-91 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The win marks the franchise’s first title since its days as the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979—and signals a bold new era in the NBA.
With an average age under 26, the young Thunder core—led by superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—completed their ascension from rebuild to royalty, finishing a dominant season that began back in late October and ended with the Larry O’Brien Trophy held high.
Game 7: A Battle of Wills Ends in Thunder’s Favor
The final game of the 2025 NBA Finals was a rollercoaster of emotions and momentum shifts. The early stages of the game were tightly contested, with both teams trading leads in what was shaping up to be a classic showdown. But tragedy struck midway through the first half when Indiana’s All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered a non-contact injury to his right leg. He was helped off the court in visible pain, later confirmed to be a torn Achilles—a heartbreaking blow for both Haliburton and the Pacers.
Despite the devastating loss of their floor general, Indiana responded with grit and passion. Powered by Eastern Conference Finals MVP Pascal Siakam and a tenacious defensive effort, the Pacers took a 48-47 lead into halftime, refusing to go quietly.
But the second half belonged to the Thunder.
Thunder’s “Big 3” Seize the Moment
Early in the third quarter, the Thunder turned the tide with a stunning offensive burst. Tied at 56, Oklahoma City went on a tear behind back-to-back-to-back three-pointers from Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams. That nine-point run opened the floodgates—and the Thunder never looked back.
By the fourth quarter, OKC’s league-best defense took over. The Thunder held Indiana scoreless for the first four-and-a-half minutes of the final frame, ballooning their lead to 22 points. Although the Pacers mounted a late rally to cut the deficit to 10 with just under three minutes remaining, the absence of Haliburton proved too much to overcome.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A Superstar Cemented
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was masterful yet again, scoring a game-high 29 points and capturing Finals MVP honors. The 26-year-old guard capped a season for the ages, becoming the first player since LeBron James in 2013 to win both the regular season and Finals MVP awards.
Gilgeous-Alexander also joined an elite club—Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and Shaquille O’Neal—as one of only four players in NBA history to win the MVP, the scoring title, and the NBA championship in the same season.
A New Era for the NBA
From October to June, the
Oklahoma City Thunder built their identity around relentless defense, explosive scoring runs, and a total team effort—backed by a generational talent in SGA. Their victory is more than just a championship win; it’s a statement to the league that a new dynasty may be forming in Oklahoma.
With a core of rising stars and the youngest roster to ever win an NBA title, the Thunder have not only reached the mountaintop—they may be here to stay.
Final Score (Game 7): Oklahoma City Thunder 103, Indiana Pacers 91
2025 NBA Champions: Oklahoma City Thunder
