In a thrilling culmination to the 2024-25 NBA season, the Oklahoma City Thunder captured their first NBA championship since relocating from Seattle in 2008, defeating the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in a gripping Game 7 at Paycom Center on Sunday, June 22, 2025. This victory marks the franchise's second NBA title overall, the first being in 1979 as the Seattle SuperSonics. The Thunder’s dominant season, which included a league-best 68 wins, was capped off by a masterful performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who secured both the regular-season MVP and Finals MVP honors.
The Thunder’s journey to the championship was marked by resilience, youthful energy, and a suffocating defense that overwhelmed opponents throughout the playoffs. Their average player age of just 25.56 years makes them the second-youngest team in NBA history to claim a title, trailing only the 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers. Oklahoma City’s roster, constructed meticulously by general manager Sam Presti, features a blend of emerging stars and savvy veterans, including key contributors like Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Alex Caruso.
Game 7 was a rollercoaster of emotions and momentum swings. The Pacers, who entered the Finals as underdogs and were the least-favored team to win since 2004, displayed tremendous grit throughout the series. Their star guard, Tyrese Haliburton, had been playing through a calf strain sustained in Game 5, and he ignited Game 7 with three early 3-pointers, scoring nine points before suffering a devastating Achilles injury midway through the first quarter. The injury forced Haliburton out of the game, and his absence was a massive blow to Indiana’s chances.
Haliburton’s injury was a heart-wrenching moment. He slipped while attempting to drive to the basket, collapsing to the floor in visible agony. His father, John Haliburton, later confirmed the injury to ESPN as an Achilles tendon rupture, a setback that could sideline the star guard for the entire 2025-26 season. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle expressed his heartbreak, saying, "What happened with Tyrese, all of our hearts dropped. He authored one of the great individual playoff runs in the history of the NBA with dramatic play after dramatic play. It was just something that no one’s ever seen and did it as 1 of 17. You know, that’s the beautiful thing about him. As great a player as he is, it’s always a team thing." Despite the loss, Indiana fought valiantly, taking a 48-47 lead at halftime.
Oklahoma City’s defense, the best in the league during both the regular season and playoffs, took over in the second half. The Thunder forced 21 turnovers, converting them into 32 points, and held the Pacers to just 41.4% shooting from the field. Defensive stalwarts like Chet Holmgren, who recorded five blocks, and perimeter defenders Luguentz Dort, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, and Jalen Williams, who combined for multiple steals, were instrumental in suffocating Indiana’s offense.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the 26-year-old Canadian and league scoring champion, led the Thunder with a stat line of 29 points, 12 assists, five rebounds, two blocks, and one steal. Although he struggled with his three-point shooting, hitting only two of 12 attempts, his 11-of-12 performance from the free-throw line and playmaking ability were vital. Gilgeous-Alexander’s Finals average of 30.3 points, 5.6 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.9 steals crowned him the first player in 25 years to win the scoring title, regular-season MVP, and Finals MVP in the same season, joining an elite group alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and Shaquille O’Neal.
Supporting Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams contributed 20 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Chet Holmgren added 18 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks. The Thunder’s bench, featuring Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace, provided crucial defensive pressure and timely scoring, each tallying 10 points and three steals. The Thunder’s third-quarter surge, including a 34-20 run, flipped a one-point halftime deficit into a commanding 81-68 lead, setting the stage for a decisive fourth quarter.
The Pacers, known for their relentless pace and record-setting comebacks—five 15-point comebacks in the postseason and three wins after trailing by seven or more points with under a minute remaining—continued to fight despite Haliburton’s absence. Bennedict Mathurin led Indiana with 24 points and 13 rebounds off the bench, while Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, and T.J. McConnell provided steady contributions. However, the Thunder’s defensive intensity and efficient offense proved insurmountable in the final quarter.
Indiana trimmed the Thunder’s 22-point lead down to 10 late in the fourth quarter, but Oklahoma City’s poise and execution closed out the game. With 1:26 remaining, Jalen Williams’ foul shots extended the lead to 100-87, effectively sealing the victory. The Pacers’ valiant effort fell just short of a historic upset.
This Game 7 marked the 20th in NBA Finals history, with the home team now holding a 16-4 record in such decisive games. Oklahoma City became the first team to score 100 points in a Finals Game 7 since 1988, underscoring their offensive prowess. The Thunder’s championship parade buses, emblazoned with “2025 Champions,” were already prepared, symbolizing the city’s celebration of its first major professional sports title.
General manager Sam Presti, who has been at the helm since the franchise’s Seattle days, reflected on the achievement: "Oklahoma has a true team…these guys represent all that’s good at a young age. They prioritize winning and they prioritize sacrifice." Head coach Mark Daigneault, in his fifth season, credited the team's chemistry and resilience: "This is a dream for everybody here…they behaved like champions and compete like champions…this is an uncommon team and now they’re champions." Gilgeous-Alexander expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying, "This isn’t just a win for me, it’s a win for my friends, a win for my family…a win for the fans…it means everything…it’s why you play the sport…we deserve it."
Looking ahead, the Thunder possess a promising future, with all rotation players under contract, a 2024 lottery pick, and an unprecedented 13 first-round draft picks over the next seven summers to bolster their roster. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are extension-eligible this summer, and the core trio with Gilgeous-Alexander forms a foundation for sustained success.
For the Pacers, the injury to Haliburton casts uncertainty on their immediate future. The star guard’s potential absence for the 2025-26 season alters Indiana’s championship aspirations and offseason strategy, including decisions regarding unrestricted free agent Myles Turner. Nevertheless, their remarkable playoff run, overcoming long odds and setting postseason records for comebacks, has energized their fan base and established a competitive identity.
The 2025 NBA Finals will be remembered not only for the Thunder’s triumphant return to glory but also for the stunning resilience displayed by the Pacers. As the confetti settles in Oklahoma City and the city basks in championship glory, the league’s landscape shifts, promising an exciting new chapter in NBA history.
