Defeating the Indiana Pacers 103–91 in a hard-fought Game 7 at the Paycom Center, the Oklahoma City Thunder have won their first NBA title after relocating from Seattle in 2008.
Leading the pack is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Earning Finals MVP accolades, league MVP Shai Gilgeous Alexander had a commanding performance with 29 points and 12 assists. In his landmark season, he became the first player since Shaquille O’Neal in 2002 to earn the scoring title, regular season MVP, and Finals MVP in the same year.
“It doesn’t feel real,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “This group works hard. We put in the hours, and we deserve this.”
Halliburton’s Injury Slows Pacers
When star point guard Tyrese Haliburton sustained an Achilles injury just seven minutes into the game, the Pacers suffered a serious loss. Before falling and departing the game, he had three three-point shots already made. Indiana fought to keep pace in the second half without him.
While Bennedict Mathurin led the team overall with 24 points off the bench, TJ McConnell rose with 12 points in the third quarter. Both Pascal Siakam and McConnell contributed 16.
Thunder Take Over in Second Half
Following one point behind at halftime, Oklahoma City came roaring in the third quarter powered by Gilgeous-Alexander, who brushed off a bad first half from three point range. With a 90 run opening the fourth quarter, the Thunder never looked back.
The victory represented the first occasion a team scored more than 100 points in a Game 7 of the NBA Finals since 1988.
A Young Team Celebrates Learning
Most of the Thunder’s players had never been in this situation before. Actually, they were having difficulties opening their champagne bottles following the game until experienced guard Alex Caruso, a 2020 NBA winner with the Lakers, stepped in to show them how.
Caruso joked, alluding to more to come from this rising team, “Next year, we will be better at it.”
One Year to Remember
With a 68-14 record, the Thunder finished the normal season fifth-best in NBA history. Their victory in the Finals over the Pacers, who were surprising challengers from the Eastern Conference, confirmed Oklahoma City’s ascendance as a powerful young side.
Coach Mark Daigneault commended his players for their consistency in remaining true to themselves all season.
“All we needed was to be who we are,” he said.
Pacers Still Searching for First Crown
Indiana had a great run, but their wait for first NBA championship goes on. Haliburton’s death was terrible, and his status is still unknown.
The Thunder will savor their much awaited championship moment for now—a prize for years of rebuilding, perseverance, and belief.
