OKLAHOMA CITY, JUNE 22, 2025 – The Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Championship dream became reality as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led a second-half explosion to defeat Indiana 103-91 in Game 7, claiming the franchise’s first title since 1979 and ending the NBA’s longest active drought.
⚡ How the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Championship Was Won
Historic 3rd Quarter Seals Title in Decisive Surge
Trailing 48-47 at halftime, the Thunder unleashed an NBA Finals Game 7 record 34-point third quarter to seize control. The championship-clinching run featured:
| Key Play | Time | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| SGA step-back 3-pointer | 10:12 Q3 | Erased deficit |
| Holmgren block → Williams dunk | 7:45 Q3 | 8-0 run (forced Pacers timeout) |
| Dort corner 3-pointer | 4:31 Q3 | Pushed lead to 14 |
Gilgeous-Alexander (29 PTS) and Jalen Williams (22 PTS) combined for 19 points during the quarter as OKC outscored Indiana 34-20 – the largest differential in any Finals Game 7 period since 1988.
🌪️ Blueprint to Glory: Inside the Thunder’s Championship Run
Small-Market Mastery Delivers Historic Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Championship
GM Sam Presti’s five-year rebuild culminated in basketball’s ultimate prize through:
- Draft Alchemy: Holmgren (2022), Williams (2022), Giddey (2021)
- Defensive Juggernaut: #1 ranked defense (103.2 PPG allowed)
- Clutch Genome: 12-2 in elimination games over past two playoffs
“This Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Championship validates every small-market team’s dream,” coach Mark Daigneault told The Athletic amid champagne showers. “Culture beats superteams.”
🏀 What’s Next for the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Champions?
Title Defense Begins Amid Key Decisions
| Priority | Details | Impact on Dynasty |
|---|---|---|
| 🔑 SGA Supermax | 4-year, $215M extension | Franchise cornerstone |
| ⚖️ Lu Dort FA | 3-and-D specialist | Perimeter defense anchor |
| 📈 Holmgren Development | Year 3 leap projected | MVP candidate trajectory |
The Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Championship parade is set for Tuesday, June 24 along Bricktown Canal – the first title celebration in city history.
💔 Pacers’ Agony: Haliburton Injury Halts Cinderella Run
MVP Candidate’s Ankle Sprain Shifts Finals Momentum
With Indiana down 68-60 in Q3, Tyrese Haliburton (24 PTS, 10 AST) collapsed after re-injuring the left ankle he hurt in Game 5. The arena fell silent as the 2025 MVP favorite was carried to the locker room.
“When Tyrese went down, our soul left the building,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle confessed. “But credit Oklahoma – they earned this championship.”
🌟 SGA’s Coronation: From Star to Immortal
Finals MVP Cements Legacy in Oklahoma Lore
Gilgeous-Alexander’s series-defining performance:
- 29 PPG on 51/40/90 shooting splits
- 15.3 4th-quarter points (series)
- Lockdown defense: Held Pacers guards to 32% FG
“This Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Championship isn’t mine – it belongs to every fan who weathered the rebuild,” SGA told NPR, hoisting both the Larry O’Brien and Bill Russell trophies.
📺 Broadcast Bonanza: America Witnesses History
Game 7 Shatters Modern Viewership Records
28.4 million viewers watched the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Championship clincher across:
- ABC (traditional broadcast)
- ESPN+ (4.3M concurrent streams)
- NBA League Pass (international)
Peaking at 32.6 million during trophy presentation – highest since Jordan’s 1998 finale.
🎙️ The Last Word
“Oklahoma! This is just the beginning!” – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s championship proclamation to 20,000 fans at Paycom Center.
The Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Championship ends a 47-year title drought dating to Seattle. For Indiana, the quest for their first NBA banner continues after falling to 0-4 in Finals appearances.
FINAL BOX SCORE
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder | 25 | 22 | 34 | 22 | 103 |
| Pacers | 22 | 26 | 20 | 23 | 91 |
FINALS MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
ATTENDANCE: 20,000 (Gainbridge Fieldhouse)
Final Words:
The Oklahoma City Thunder have finally captured their first NBA championship since relocating from Seattle, delivering a thrilling Game 7 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Fueled by a historic third-quarter performance and the brilliance of Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC overcame a halftime deficit to dominate the second half and secure a 103-91 win. The victory not only ends the NBA’s longest active title drought but also marks a major milestone for a small-market franchise built through smart drafting, strong defense, and unmatched resilience. For the Pacers, the dream of a first-ever championship remains elusive as Tyrese Haliburton’s heartbreaking injury in the second half shifted momentum for good. As the Thunder bask in their championship glory, the league takes notice: Oklahoma City has arrived—and they may not be done yet.
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