On Sunday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder completed a remarkable journey that began back in late October, firmly establishing themselves as a dominant force in the NBA. With an average team age of under 26, the Thunder capped off one of the most successful seasons in league history by overcoming the Indiana Pacers in a tightly contested seven-game series, ultimately securing the prestigious Larry O’Brien trophy.
The championship game started with a familiar back-and-forth dynamic, reflecting the tight nature of the entire series. However, misfortune struck for the Pacers when their star point guard, Tyrese Haliburton, sustained a non-contact injury to his lower right leg. Known for his pivotal role in the Pacers' postseason comeback victories, Haliburton's injury left fans and teammates stunned. His father later confirmed to ESPN that the 25-year-old had suffered an Achilles injury, leaving Indiana to rally in the face of adversity.
Despite the significant setback, the Pacers demonstrated remarkable resilience. With Pascal Siakam earning the title of Eastern Conference Finals MVP, Indiana managed to take a surprising 48-47 lead into halftime, driven by a tenacious defense and team spirit. However, as the adrenaline began to fade, the Thunder seized control of the game during the third quarter.
In a flash, the game shifted from a tie at 56-56 to a commanding nine-point lead for the Thunder, thanks to three consecutive long-range shots from their stellar trio: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams. From that moment onward, the Thunder never looked back. Known for having the best defense in the NBA during the regular season, Oklahoma City suffocated the short-handed Pacers, holding them scoreless for the first 4:31 of the fourth quarter. The Thunder's lead ballooned to 22 points, showcasing their defensive prowess and offensive firepower.
While the Pacers fought valiantly to narrow the gap to ten points with just two and a half minutes remaining, the absence of Haliburton proved too great a challenge. The Thunder ultimately clinched the game with a score of 103-91. In the post-game interview, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged the Thunder's dominance, hinting at the early expectations set for them during the season: “They may have had those buses painted up back in December. So they will have a great parade. They have great fans. This was a great series.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with a game-high 29 points, earning Finals MVP honors. His performance marked a historic moment, as he became the first player since LeBron James in 2013 to win both the regular season and Finals MVP awards. Additionally, Gilgeous-Alexander joined an elite group of only four players in NBA history—alongside legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and Shaquille O’Neal—to win the league MVP trophy, scoring title, and NBA Finals in the same season.
After the game, a visibly emotional Gilgeous-Alexander shared his thoughts with Lisa Salters of ABC, reflecting on the significance of achieving his childhood dream of winning an NBA title. “It doesn’t feel real,” he said. “So many hours, so many moments, so many emotions, so many nights of disbelief, so many nights of belief. It’s crazy to know we are all here. But this group worked for it and this group put in the hours and deserved this.”
As the Thunder celebrated their championship victory, they closed out the season just as they had begun: with intense defense, lightning-fast runs, and reliance on Gilgeous-Alexander’s near-flawless basketball. The future looks bright for Oklahoma City, as they continue to make waves in the NBA.
