The Oklahoma City Thunder are officially the 2025 NBA champions after defeating the Indiana Pacers 103–91 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. With this victory, the Thunder claim their first NBA title in franchise history since relocating to Oklahoma City, led by a dominant performance from league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 29 points and 12 assists in the decisive game, adding the Finals MVP award to a historic season that already included the 2025 regular season MVP and scoring title. At just 26 years old, he becomes one of the few players in NBA history to earn all three accolades in a single season.

The Thunder trailed by one at halftime but outscored the Pacers 34–20 in the third quarter, taking control of the game and never surrendering the lead again. Oklahoma City’s balanced attack, smart defensive switches, and elite ball handling proved too much for Indiana in the second half.

Rookie center Chet Holmgren played a pivotal role, contributing 18 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks. Jalen Williams added 20 points, continuing his strong Finals run and stepping up in crucial moments. Their performances were essential to the Thunder’s third-quarter surge and late-game control.

The Pacers, playing in their first NBA Finals since 2000, suffered a major setback early in the game when star guard Tyrese Haliburton exited with a non-contact Achilles injury. He had already hit four three-pointers before going down less than five minutes into the first quarter. His absence disrupted Indiana’s offensive rhythm and contributed to the team’s 23 turnovers — a stark contrast to Oklahoma City’s seven.

Despite the loss, Indiana showed fight throughout the playoffs. Veteran T.J. McConnell and Pascal Siakam tried to rally the team in Haliburton’s absence, but the Thunder’s depth and defensive pressure proved overwhelming down the stretch.

Oklahoma City finishes the 2024–2025 season with 84 total wins, tying the 1996–97 Chicago Bulls for the third-most in league history, including the playoffs. After years of patient rebuilding through the NBA Draft, strategic trades, and internal development, the Thunder have now completed one of the league’s most impressive turnaround stories.

For fans in Oklahoma, this moment has been a long time in the making. For the franchise, the title signals the start of a new chapter. And for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, this postseason run officially cements his status as one of the NBA’s elite. Proudly, we can say he has the following titles in the bag: Most Valuable Player, Scoring Title, and Conference Finals MVP.

With a young, talented core and a proven leader in SGA, the Thunder are not just champions in 2025 — they’re built to compete for years to come.

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