22 June: The long journey of rebuilding is finally complete for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have captured their first NBA championship since relocating from Seattle.
With a dominant performance in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, the Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers 103-91 on Sunday night. Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander capped his MVP season with 29 points and 12 assists, earning Finals MVP honours and leading his team to the top of the league.
“It still doesn’t feel real,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “This group has worked so hard, and we believed even when it seemed impossible. We earned this moment.”
Jalen Williams added 20 points, and rookie Chet Holmgren contributed 18 as Oklahoma City closed out a remarkable season, tying the 1996–97 Chicago Bulls for the third-most combined regular-season and playoff wins in NBA history with 84. Only the 2016–17 Golden State Warriors (88) and 2015–16 Bulls (87) have recorded more.
Sunday’s victory marks the second championship for the franchise, but the first since the team’s move to Oklahoma City in 2008. The only other title came in 1979, when the franchise was based in Seattle as the SuperSonics.
Head coach Mark Daigneault praised his team’s unity and resilience, saying, “They’ve acted like champions all season. They support each other in ways that are rare in this league. This is an uncommon group — and now, they’re champions.”
The game took a grim turn early when Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton suffered a serious leg injury within the first few minutes, believed to be an Achilles tendon injury, according to his father. Despite leading 48-47 at halftime, the Pacers faltered in the third quarter, getting outscored 34-20 as the Thunder took control.
Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin delivered 24 points and 13 rebounds, but the Pacers — still chasing their first-ever NBA title — couldn’t match the Thunder’s depth and poise. Despite once trailing in the series 2-1, Oklahoma City rallied to take the final two games and clinch the title on home court.
The Thunder also became the youngest team in nearly 50 years to win an NBA championship and extended an era of parity in the league — they are the seventh different champion in as many years.
Several players brought championship experience to this final: Pacers forward Pascal Siakam won with Toronto in 2019, while Thunder guard Alex Caruso was part of the Lakers’ 2020 title team. Indiana’s Thomas Bryant was with Denver in 2023, and Boston claimed the trophy last season.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has now overseen nine different franchises winning the championship in his 12-year tenure — a sign of growing competitiveness in the league.
For the Pacers, who began the season with a 10-15 record, the loss was bittersweet. “We’re deflated but proud,” said guard TJ McConnell. “What we achieved this season was special.”
Coach Rick Carlisle echoed the sentiment: “This one hurts, but this team gave Indiana a lot to be proud of.”
