OKLAHOMA CITY โ As the buzzer sounded for the final time this season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander left the court, embraced coach Mark Daigneault, and flashed a wide smile. The long journey was over, and the Oklahoma City Thunder had reached their destination as NBA champions. The squad, dominant throughout the season, clinched its first NBA championship, marking a historic moment for the Oklahoma City franchise.
Gilgeous-Alexander capped off his illustrious MVP season with a standout performance, scoring 29 points alongside 12 assists, steering the Thunder past the Indiana Pacers. Their victory in Game 7 of the NBA Finals was bittersweet for Indiana, as they lost star Tyrese Haliburton to a severe injury early in the game, ultimately succumbing 103-91.
Reflecting on the journey, Gilgeous-Alexander expressed disbelief yet gratification, โIt doesnโt feel real,โ he shared. โThe hours, the emotions, the nights of doubt, and nights of belief led us here. This group earned this moment; we worked tirelessly to deserve this victory.โ
Supporting Gilgeous-Alexanderโs efforts, Jalen Williams contributed 20 points and Chet Holmgren added 18, as the Thunder completed an extraordinary season, tallying 84 wins between regular and postseason play. This achievement ties them with the renowned 1996-97 Chicago Bulls for the third-most single-season victories.
This crowning achievement marks the franchiseโs second NBA championship. Formerly the Seattle SuperSonics, who captured the title in 1979, the team relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008. A new banner will soon hang in October, commemorating this modern triumph with a Thunder insignia. โThis team behaves and competes like champions and their unwavering camaraderie is astonishingly rare in professional sports,โ praised Daigneault. โThis group has crowned their exceptional journey by becoming champions.โ
Despite losing Haliburton early โ the injury reported by his family as a possible Achilles tendon issue โ the Pacers led at halftime. However, the Thunder overpowered Indiana with a crucial third quarter performance, outscoring them 34-20. Indianaโs early series lead and aspirations came to an end, despite the teamโs perseverance.
Bennedict Mathurinโs 24-point, 13-rebound effort for the Pacers wasnโt enough to stave off defeat. As the series concluded, Indiana was still in search of its first NBA title despite achieving a remarkable turnaround from a poor season start.
The Thunderโs triumph marks a unique era of diversity among NBA champions, with seven different teams winning in the last seven years. Given the teamโs youth, they are the youngest champions in almost fifty years, scaling the NBAโs ultimate peak.
As the celebrations commence, this title marks the ninth different franchise win under Commissioner Adam Silverโs tenure, showcasing the leagueโs evolving landscape. Meanwhile, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle offered words of pride amidst heartache. โWhile the pain is real, this team has offered Pacer Nation much to be proud of.โ