Indianapolis, IN — The Oklahoma City Thunder are NBA champions once again.
In a hard-fought Game 7 showdown, the Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers 103–91 on Sunday night, capturing the franchise’s first title since relocating from Seattle in 2008, and their second overall—the first coming as the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979.
The game took a devastating early turn for Indiana when Tyrese Haliburton, the face of the Pacers franchise, left in the first quarter with a serious Achilles injury. He had to be carried off the court, visibly emotional, in a moment that stunned the Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd.
Despite Haliburton’s absence, the Pacers held a narrow 52–51 lead at halftime. But Oklahoma City seized control in the second half, outscoring Indiana 56–43 to pull away and silence the home fans.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a clutch performance when it mattered most, dropping 29 points and 12 assists to earn Finals MVP honors. His leadership and poise anchored a young Thunder squad that overcame a cold shooting night.
Oklahoma City shot just 40.2% from the field and 27.5% from beyond the arc, but their defensive intensity proved to be the difference. The Thunder forced 23 Pacers turnovers, converting them into 32 crucial points.
The loss prolongs Indiana’s championship drought. The Pacers have now reached the NBA Finals twice without capturing a title.
For the Thunder, it’s a triumphant moment in their rebuilding journey—a franchise once defined by potential, now defined by perseverance and payoff.
