Oklahoma City Thunder Capture First NBA Championship in Franchise’s OKC Era
June 23, 2025 – The Oklahoma City Thunder secured their first NBA championship since relocating from Seattle, defeating the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in a dramatic Game 7 at Paycom Center. The victory marks a historic milestone for the franchise and caps a dominant season that saw the Thunder become the second-youngest team ever to win an NBA title.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a Finals MVP performance, leading Oklahoma City with 29 points, 12 assists, and five rebounds. Despite shooting struggles from the field (8-of-27), Gilgeous-Alexander was nearly flawless at the free throw line, converting 11 of 12 attempts. He became only the fifth player in NBA history to record a 20-point, 10-assist performance in a Finals Game 7 and joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players to win MVP, Finals MVP, and a scoring title by age 26.
Jalen Williams contributed 20 points, while Chet Holmgren added 18 points, eight rebounds, and a Finals Game 7 record five blocked shots, anchoring a Thunder defense that forced 21 turnovers and held Indiana to just 43 points in the second half. Oklahoma City’s depth and defensive intensity proved decisive, especially after Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton exited early in the first quarter with a lower right leg injury, limiting Indiana’s offensive options.
The Pacers, led by Benedict Mathurin’s 24 points and T.J. McConnell’s 16 off the bench, kept the contest close through halftime, holding a 48-47 lead. However, the Thunder seized control with a dominant 34-20 third quarter, building a lead that ballooned to 22 points in the fourth. Indiana mounted a late push, trimming the deficit to 10 with under two minutes remaining, but Oklahoma City’s composure and defense held firm.
This championship is the culmination of a rapid rebuild for the Thunder, who won just 22 and 24 games in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, respectively. Under general manager Sam Presti, Oklahoma City assembled a youthful core that finished this season with 68 regular-season wins—one of the seven best marks in league history—and tied for the third most total wins (regular season and playoffs) in NBA history with 84.
The Thunder’s triumph ends years of near-misses, including a Finals loss in 2012 and Western Conference finals exits in 2014 and 2016. With only two players over the age of 27 and key stars eligible for long-term extensions, Oklahoma City is positioned as a favorite to contend for more titles in the coming years.
The Pacers, meanwhile, are left to ponder what might have been had Haliburton remained healthy. Their run to the Finals, built on strategic trades and relentless play, sets the stage for an intriguing offseason.
Oklahoma City’s victory signals a new era in the NBA, as the league’s youngest champions in nearly five decades celebrate a long-awaited title in front of their home fans.