Mon Jun 23 05:51:38 UTC 2025: **Oklahoma City Thunder Capture First NBA Title Since Relocation, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Named Finals MVP**
**Oklahoma City, OK** – The Oklahoma City Thunder are NBA champions! In a thrilling Game 7 showdown at Paycom Center, the Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers 103-91 to secure their first NBA title since relocating from Seattle in 2008.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league’s Most Valuable Player, led the charge with 29 points and 12 assists, earning him the Finals MVP award. This feat makes him the first player since Shaquille O’Neal in 2002 to win the regular season MVP, scoring title, and Finals MVP in the same season.
The Pacers suffered a major setback early in the game when star point guard Tyrese Haliburton went down with an Achilles injury in the first quarter and was unable to return. Despite a valiant effort, Indiana’s offense struggled against a stifling Thunder defense, particularly in the second half.
“It doesn’t feel real,” Gilgeous-Alexander exclaimed after the victory. “So many hours, so many moments, so many emotions… This group works hard. This group put in the hours, and we deserve this.”
The Thunder, who finished the regular season with an impressive 68-14 record, capped off an incredible year with the championship. While the Finals may have lacked traditional star power, the series between the two small-market teams delivered plenty of excitement.
The Pacers, who fought hard throughout the series, were led by Bennedict Mathurin with 24 points off the bench, with Pascal Siakam and TJ McConnell added 16 each.
The Thunder’s victory marked the first time a team has scored 100 or more points in a Game 7 of the NBA Finals since 1988. Veteran Alex Caruso, a former champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, helped guide the younger Thunder players through the post-game celebrations.
“We’ll get some rest and try to do it again next year,” Caruso said, already looking ahead to defending their title.
First Piper 