The Oklahoma City Thunder have officially arrived—and they did it in thunderous fashion. With a 103–91 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, the Thunder captured their first championship since relocating from Seattle in 2008. It was a crowning moment for a young, dynamic team that has grown up before our eyes.
The Thunder’s title run was the culmination of years of patient rebuilding and bold moves. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the regular season MVP, capped off a historic campaign by earning Finals MVP honors as well, averaging over 30 points per game in the series. His Game 7 performance—29 points, 12 assists, and five rebounds—was a masterclass in leadership and poise.
Chet Holmgren, the lanky shot-blocking phenom, was a defensive anchor throughout the series. In Game 7, he swatted five shots, setting a record for a Finals Game 7, and added timely buckets to keep the Pacers at bay. Meanwhile, Jalen Williams continued his breakout postseason, averaging 23.6 points per game in the Finals and hitting clutch shots when it mattered most.
The Pacers’ hopes took a devastating blow early in Game 7 when star guard Tyrese Haliburton went down with what appeared to be a torn Achilles in the first quarter. Already playing through a calf strain, Haliburton had been the engine of Indiana’s Cinderella run.
His absence left a gaping hole in the Pacers’ offense and leadership. The emotional toll was visible—Haliburton was later seen on crutches, consoling teammates in the tunnel after the loss.
For Oklahoma City, the future is blindingly bright. This is the youngest team to win an NBA title in nearly five decades. With a core of SGA, Holmgren, and Williams all under 27, and a war chest of draft picks still at their disposal, the Thunder are built not just to win now—but to dominate for years.
The Pacers, meanwhile, face a more uncertain path. Haliburton’s injury could sideline him for much of next season, and while Benedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard showed flashes of brilliance, Indiana will need to regroup and possibly retool. Still, their Finals run proved they belong in the conversation.
The 2025 NBA Finals weren’t just a coronation—they were a coming-of-age story. And for the Thunder, it’s only the beginning.
