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Tim Bontemps
OKLAHOMA CITY – In a stunning achievement, the Oklahoma City Thunder clinched their inaugural NBA championship in 2025 with a decisive 103-91 victory over the Indiana Pacers in a thrilling Game 7 of the Finals. This triumph marks a historic turnaround for a franchise that has faced its share of challenges over the past 17 years.
The Thunder’s progress from a two-season stint of 22 and 24 wins in 2020-21 and 2021-22 to becoming the top-seeded team in the Western Conference playoffs is nothing short of remarkable. This year, they notched an impressive 68 wins, ranking among the top seven single-season records in NBA history, while also setting a new benchmark for the highest point differential in a regular season—shattering a decades-old record.
Overall, Oklahoma City tallied a total of 84 wins, both in the regular season and playoffs, which places them alongside legendary teams like the 1996-97 Chicago Bulls in terms of single-season performance. Only the Golden State Warriors (88 wins in 2016-17) and the Bulls (87 wins in 2015-16) have outperformed them.
However, Game 7 will be remembered not only for the championship celebration but also for the unfortunate injury suffered by Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton sustained a left Achilles injury while driving to the basket with 4:55 remaining in the first quarter and was subsequently sidelined for the rest of the game—a heartbreaking turn in what had been a breathtaking playoff run.
Despite this setback, the Pacers managed to rally and led 48-47 at halftime. Yet it was Oklahoma City’s MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who ignited a commanding performance in the third quarter, propelling the Thunder to a 34-20 scoring advantage and securing a 13-point lead that Indiana couldn’t overcome.
As the clock wound down, Indiana made a valiant effort, narrowing a 22-point deficit to just 10 with a three-pointer from Andrew Nembhard with under two minutes left. Nevertheless, unlike previous playoff games where the Pacers staged memorable comebacks, this time Oklahoma City held firm to seal their championship win.
“It doesn’t feel real,” Gilgeous-Alexander reflected post-game. “We’ve put in countless hours and faced so many emotions. This group truly earned this victory.”
The championship is a testament to the vision of General Manager Sam Presti, who has been at the helm since the team relocated from Seattle in the 2007-08 season. The Thunder have consistently ranked among the most successful franchises in both regular and postseason wins, but until now, the elusive championship had slipped through their fingers. Previous near-miss seasons included a heartbreaking Finals loss to the Miami Heat in 2012 and two conference finals defeats in 2014 and 2016.
In an ironic twist, this championship was secured on the same day that foundational player Kevin Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets, a move that may position them as Oklahoma City’s main competitor for next season.
The transition phase truly began in 2019 when Presti made key trades, including moving Russell Westbrook and Paul George, which laid the groundwork for the current roster. This included acquiring Gilgeous-Alexander in the deal that sent George to the LA Clippers.
Weeks later, Presti articulated his vision for a thriving future for the franchise in a local newspaper. “In saying goodbye to the past, we have begun to chart our future,” he wrote.
Remarkably, the future has arrived sooner than expected. Along with Gilgeous-Alexander, undrafted gem Luguentz Dort emerged as a cornerstone player, and key drafts brought them Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, who were integral to this playoff campaign. Williams, in particular, excelled in the Finals, scoring a career-high 40 points in Game 5.
With contract extensions looming for Gilgeous-Alexander, Dort, and Holmgren, this young squad—second only to the 1977 Portland Trail Blazers as the youngest championship team—has the potential for sustained success.
Coach Mark Daigneault praised their character: “They behave like champions and compete like champions. This is an uncommon team, and now they’re champions.”
The Thunder’s victory continues a unique trend of parity in the NBA, marking the ninth different franchise to win a title during Commissioner Adam Silver’s tenure. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s remarkable season ended with 29 points and 12 assists, achieving a rare “superfecta” of accolades: regular season MVP, Finals MVP, NBA champion, and scoring champion, an accomplishment not seen since Stephen Curry’s historic 2014-15 season.
Time will tell if this Thunder team will embark on a dynastic path like those of past champions. But after 17 years, Oklahoma City can finally revel in their long-awaited championship glory.
Contributions from the Associated Press.