The Oklahoma City Thunder have made history, capturing their first NBA championship since moving from Seattle. They clinched the title with a 103-91 victory over the Indiana Pacers in a thrilling Game 7.
At the heart of the victory was 26-year-old Canadian star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who delivered a commanding performance with 29 points and 12 assists, cementing his legacy by capturing the NBA Finals MVP title. With this accolade, along with his regular season MVP award and scoring title, Gilgeous-Alexander joins an elite group of players—just the fourth ever—to complete this prestigious triple crown in a single season. The most recent instance was Shaquille O’Neal.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “All the dedication, all the tough nights, has brought us to this point. By staying true to who we are, we’ve rightfully earned this.”
A Long-Awaited Moment for Oklahoma City
The Thunder’s victory marks their first NBA title since 1979, when the franchise was based in Seattle and known as the SuperSonics. Since relocating in 2008, the team has rebuilt with patience and vision, and now, under the bright lights of Game 7, that journey has come full circle.
However, the game wasn’t without heartbreak—particularly for Indiana. Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, already nursing a calf strain from earlier in the series, went down just seven minutes in after slipping on a drive to the basket. He had already hit three shots from beyond the arc and appeared in rhythm before the unfortunate injury. Despite his exit, Indiana battled bravely, holding a slim 48–47 lead at halftime.
Thunder’s Youth Fuel Second-Half Surge
Oklahoma City, the youngest team to win an NBA title since the 1977 Portland Trail Blazers, showed maturity beyond their years. With an average age of 25.6, the Thunder turned up the intensity in the second half, dominating the third quarter 34–20 and extending their lead to as much as 22 points.
Gilgeous-Alexander credited the team’s unity for their success “We just clicked-on and off the floor. It felt like we were just kids having fun again, playing the game we love.”
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s remarkable ascent from the bottom of the league to championship glory in just four seasons is a testament to Coach Mark Daigneault’s unwavering vision and the team’s relentless execution. What many saw as a lengthy, arduous rebuild, Daigneault meticulously crafted into a rapid, dominant transformation. In 2021, Oklahoma City managed just 22 wins. Fast forward to today, they’ve recorded a franchise-best 68 wins and a championship, all under the leadership of Head Coach Mark Daigneault, who took over in late 2020.
After the win, Daigneault stated, “This group is exceptional. They have immense faith in one another, compete with incredible passion, and are always there to support each other.” That’s what made this possible.”
The 40-year-old coach’s approach of empowering his players and emphasizing team culture has clearly paid off in historic fashion.
Devastation and Determination in Indiana
The Pacers were left to wonder what might have been had Haliburton remained healthy. Despite his injury, he was present in the locker room, offering words of belief and support.
Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle expressed heartbreak over the incident:
“It was a tough moment. Tyrese has been our engine. But he was still with us emotionally, and we pushed as best we could. He’ll be back—no doubt.
What’s next!
With their youthful talent, established championship experience, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s determined leadership, the Thunder appear ready to consistently compete among the league’s elite. “This is just the beginning,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We’re not done yet.”
