Oklahoma City Thunder Win First NBA Title: Full Game 7 Recap & Highlights

By Edcel Panganiban June 24, 2025 10:00

The Oklahoma City Thunder captured their first-ever NBA championship in a thrilling Game 7 showdown against the Indiana Pacers, winning 103-91 on Sunday night at the raucous Paycom Center. This victory marks a historic milestone for the franchise since relocating from Seattle in 2008, ending a long wait for an NBA title and electrifying their passionate fan base.

A Season for the Ages

The Thunder’s 2024-25 campaign was nothing short of spectacular, finishing with a league-best 68 regular-season wins and carrying that momentum through the playoffs with 16 additional victories. Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who earned both the regular season and Finals MVP honors, Oklahoma City established itself as the dominant force in the NBA this year. Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance in Game 7 was a fitting capstone to his historic season: he scored 29 points, dished out 12 assists, grabbed rebounds, and contributed defensively with two blocks and a steal.

“It doesn’t feel real,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the win. “So many hours, so many moments, so many emotions, so many nights of disbelief... but this is what we worked for.” His leadership on both ends of the floor was pivotal in overcoming a tough Pacers squad that had pushed the Thunder to the brink throughout the series.

Game 7 Recap: Defense, Depth, and Determination

The Thunder’s championship was built on suffocating defense and balanced scoring. They held the Pacers to just 41.4% shooting, well below Indiana’s playoff average of 48.4%, and forced 21 turnovers while blocking eight shots, including a remarkable five blocks from 7-foot-1 center Chet Holmgren a Finals Game 7 record. Holmgren’s defensive presence was a game-changer, and he humbly remarked, “I never play for records... but us winning is forever. It’s immortal.”

Oklahoma City’s defensive intensity was complemented by offensive contributions from Jalen Williams, who added 20 points, and Holmgren, who scored 18. The Thunder’s ability to execute in the clutch was evident in the fourth quarter, when they built a 22-point lead, highlighted by Gilgeous-Alexander’s savvy passing and timely shooting from teammates like Cason Wallace and Williams.

Indiana’s hopes dimmed early when star guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered a lower right leg injury in the first quarter, a blow from which the Pacers could not fully recover. Veteran Bennedict Mathurin led Indiana with 24 points and 13 rebounds, while TJ McConnell’s 16 points and crafty play kept the Pacers competitive, but turnovers and Oklahoma City’s relentless pressure ultimately sealed Indiana’s fate.

Historic Impact and Legacy

The Game 7 victory drew massive national attention, with an average of 16.4 million viewers tuning in the highest NBA Finals audience in six years, peaking at 19.3 million during the game’s climax. This surge in viewership underscores the significance of the Thunder’s breakthrough and the excitement generated by the competitive series.

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt captured the moment’s importance, stating, “It’s one of the biggest moments in city history. We’ve achieved sports immortality, and that will open doors in our community far beyond basketball for years, decades to come.”

General Manager Sam Presti’s vision and the organization’s meticulous building process have culminated in this championship, a testament to the Thunder’s culture of excellence from players to staff. The team’s youth averaging just 25.68 years old signals a bright future ahead in the NBA.

In sum, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s first NBA title is a story of resilience, defense, and star power. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s historic season, combined with a collective team effort and unyielding defense, propelled the Thunder to a well-deserved championship, etching their name in basketball history and igniting a new era of hope and pride for Oklahoma City.