Oklahoma City Thunder Crowned NBA Champions After Game 7 Victory

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The Oklahoma City Thunder are NBA champions for the first time in franchise history since relocating from Seattle in 2008. With a 103–91 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, the Thunder concluded a historic season led by MVP and Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The win marks the franchise’s second championship overall, their first since the Seattle SuperSonics claimed the title in 1979. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander cemented his status as one of the league’s elite players by finishing Game 7 with 29 points and 12 assists. “It doesn’t feel real,” Gilgeous-Alexander said following the win. “So many moments. So many emotions. So many nights of disbelief. So many nights of belief”. His leadership and performance throughout the season earned him both the regular season and Finals MVP honors, making him the centerpiece of the Thunder’s success. The Thunder’s rise to the top is a testament to team-building and resilience. Under head coach Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City transformed from a rebuilding squad to NBA champions in just a few short seasons. The team’s young core, including standout performances from Jalen Williams with 20 points and Chet Holmgren with 18, contributed to a total of 84 combined wins in the regular season and playoffs. This ties them with the 1996–97 Chicago Bulls for the third-most wins in a single season. Their opponent, the Indiana Pacers, fought valiantly throughout the series and led at halftime in Game 7. However, a serious Achilles injury to All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton in the first quarter dealt a critical blow. Despite the setback, players like Bennedict Mathurin, who scored 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, kept the Pacers competitive. “Deflated, but proud of everything we’ve accomplished,” said Pacers guard TJ McConnell.

This championship also marks a significant era of parity in the NBA. The Thunder are the seventh different team to win the title in the last seven seasons, joining the ranks of the Raptors (2019), Lakers (2020), Bucks (2021), Warriors (2022), Nuggets (2023), and Celtics (2024). NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has now witnessed nine different champions in his 12-year tenure, a testament to the league’s balance and competitiveness. Coach Daigneault praised his players' unity and character following the win: “They behave like champions. They compete like champions. They root for each other’s success, which is rare in professional sports” (Daigneault). The Thunder’s triumph is not only a basketball victory but a story of belief, patience, and purpose — a fitting ending for a team that once faced uncertainty and now stands atop the NBA world.