The Oklahoma City Thunder are NBA champions for the first time in franchise history since relocating from Seattle, following a 103-91 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, June 22.
Led by league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who delivered a standout performance with 29 points and 12 assists, the Thunder closed out the series at home in front of a roaring crowd at the Paycom Center.
Indiana’s title hopes took a devastating hit early in the game after star point guard Tyrese Haliburton exited in the first quarter with an Achilles injury. Without their floor general, the Pacers struggled to maintain momentum, especially against Oklahoma City’s relentless second-half defense.
Despite the absence of big-name superstars, the Finals matchup between the small-market Thunder and Pacers captured fans’ attention with grit, heart, and high-stakes drama. Indiana, the surprise Eastern Conference champions, pushed the NBA’s best regular-season team to a decisive Game 7, capping off a thrilling postseason run.
The win marks a historic moment for Oklahoma City, which had not won an NBA title since the franchise’s days as the Seattle SuperSonics. It is also a career-defining triumph for Gilgeous-Alexander, who now adds “NBA Champion” to his MVP season accolades.
