SHAI Gilgeous-Alexander capped his MVP season with a stellar 29 points and 12 assists, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to their first NBA championship since relocating, as they triumphed over the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in a decisive Game 7 on Sunday night (Monday, June 23, 2025, PH time).
Jalen Williams added 20 points and Chet Holmgren contributed 18 for the Thunder, who pulled away in the second half to secure the title after being pushed to the brink of elimination in the NBA Finals.
This historic victory marks the second championship for the franchise, following the Seattle SuperSonics’ win in 1979. The team moved to Oklahoma City in 2008, and the upcoming October will finally see a championship banner raised in the city’s arena.
The Thunder’s incredible season saw them rack up 84 wins between the regular season and playoffs, tying the 1996-97 Chicago Bulls for the third-most victories in any single season. Only the 2016-17 Golden State Warriors (88 wins) and the 2015-16 Bulls (87 wins) achieved more.
The victory wasn’t easily won. The Pacers held a 48-47 lead at halftime, even after losing star guard Tyrese Haliburton about seven minutes into the game due to what his father indicated was an Achilles tendon injury.
However, the Thunder dominated the third quarter, outscoring Indiana 34-20 to build a commanding 13-point lead and take control of the game.
Bennedict Mathurin led the Pacers with 24 points and 13 rebounds, but Indiana’s bid for its first NBA title ultimately fell short. The Pacers, who were 10-15 after 25 games, were attempting to become the first team in NBA history to overcome such a slow start to win a championship.
Home teams now boast a 16-4 record in NBA Finals Game 7s. This Thunder championship also highlights a unique era of parity in the NBA, as they became the seventh different champion in the last seven seasons.
This run includes the Toronto Raptors (2019), Los Angeles Lakers (2020), Milwaukee Bucks (2021), Golden State Warriors (2022), Denver Nuggets (2023), and Boston Celtics (last year).
The Thunder are now the ninth franchise to win a title during NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s 12 seasons at the helm, surpassing his predecessor David Stern, who saw eight different franchises win championships in his 30 seasons. / From the wires