Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named Finals MVP as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game 7 on Sunday night to win their first NBA Championship, Afrosport reports.
The Thunder, who entered the postseason with the best record in the regular season, capped off a historic campaign with the Larry O’Brien Trophy after a gruesome seven-game series, which they edged 4-3 against a brilliant Pacers team.
NBA CHAMPIONS 🏆 pic.twitter.com/6Y0SCUtzY6
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 23, 2025
Gilgeous-Alexander, who became the first player since 2013 to win both the regular season and Finals MVP in the same season, finished with 29 points, five rebounds and 12 assists.
The 26-year-old, who also won the scoring title, became only the fourth player in NBA history and the first since Shaquille O’Neal to claim the treble in one season.
“It doesn’t feel real,” the Canadian 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 that we’re all here, but this group worked for it. This group put in the hours and we deserve this.
“Our togetherness on and off the court, like how much fun we have, it made it so much easier. It made it feel like we were just kids playing basketball. It was so fun.
“We have a lot to grow, individually and as a group. I’m excited for the future of this team. This is a great start. I’m really excited for this team.”
Your 2025 @NBA Finals MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 🏆 pic.twitter.com/9meV5pz7lj
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 23, 2025
The Pacers looked determined to battle through the raucous OKC crowd inside the Paycom Center, but their luck hit a bump when All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton was forced off with a serious leg injury in the opening period.
Haliburton had played just seven minutes and scored nine points before being helped off the court after hitting the ground while driving towards the basket. The Pacers, however, fought hard to hold a narrow 48-47 lead heading to the halftime break.
The Thunder resumed after the break with renewed energy, outscoring the Pacers 34-20 in the third quarter before extending the lead to as much as 22 points in the fourth.
OKC’s supporting cast were in inspired form, unlike in their disappointing Game 6 loss, as Jalen Williams scored 20 points and Chet Holmgren finished with 18 points, eight rebounds and a game-high five blocks.
The Thunder, with an average age of 25.6, became the youngest team to win an NBA title since the Portland Trail Blazers in 1977.
The @okcthunder are the 2024-25 NBA Champions! pic.twitter.com/EsPIcjgVFx
— NBA (@NBA) June 23, 2025
OKC claimed 84 games across both the regular season and playoffs, which sees them level with the 1996-97 Chicago Bulls for third most in any season, while the Golden State Warriors (88 in 2016-17) and the Bulls (87 in 2015-16) won more.
The victory marked the second championship in the franchise’s history – the Seattle SuperSonics won the NBA title in 1979. It, however, is the first title since they moved to Oklahoma City in 2008.
“They behave like champions, they compete like champions,” said OKC coach Mark Daigneault. “They root for each others’ success, which is rare in professional sports. I’ve said it many times and I’ll say it one more time – this is an uncommon team and now they’re champions.”
Bennedict Mathurin led Indiana with 24 points and 13 rebounds off the bench; T.J. McConnell and Pascal Siakam had 16 points apiece, and Andrew Nembhard dropped 15 for the Pacers, who are still in search of their first NBA title.
