The Oklahoma City Thunder capped off an incredible season by defeating the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night, securing their first-ever NBA championship. The victory was a historic moment for the franchise, which hadn’t won a championship since they were known as the Seattle Supersonics in 1979.
League MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder to victory, delivering a stellar performance with 29 points, 12 assists, and five rebounds, earning him the Bill Russell Finals MVP award. His teammate Jalen Williams also contributed with 20 points, while Chet Holmgren showed defensive prowess with 18 points and five blocks. The Thunder’s bench players, including Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace, added crucial scoring to the win.
The Pacers, who had previously stunned the Warriors in a 2016 Game 7 comeback, faced an unexpected setback with Tyrese Haliburton suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in the first quarter. Despite a strong performance from T.J. McConnell, the Pacers were unable to keep pace with the Thunder’s momentum in the third quarter. Indiana’s key players, including Benedict Mathurin and Pascal Siakam, tried valiantly to rally, but the Thunder’s superior ball handling and fewer turnovers proved decisive.
This victory marks the Thunder as the second-youngest team to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy, cementing their place in NBA history. The win was a testament to the team’s perseverance throughout the playoffs and the collective effort of its players and coaching staff.