SGA Seals MVP Season With OKC’s Game 7 Win; Haliburton Exits With Achilles Injury

The Pacers had a coin-flip probability. But when Tyrese Haliburton collapsed within the first quarter, so did Indiana’s shot at historical past. What as soon as felt like future shortly changed into injury management because the Oklahoma City Thunder stormed their technique to their first NBA championship in entrance of the house crowd.

Punctuating a report 2024-25 season, the Thunder topped the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night.

The victory is the franchise’s first NBA championship since transferring from Seattle to Oklahoma City in 2008 and their second title general, together with the 1979 championship because the Seattle TremendousSonics.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP Season Ends in Glory

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spearheaded the trouble with 29 factors, 12 assists, 5 boards, two blocks, and one steal in a Finals efficiency for the ages.

SGA joined LeBron James as the only real participant during the last decade to take the uncommon hat trick of NBA MVP, Finals MVP, and an NBA title in the identical season with the victory.

The Thunder’s staff effort general was simply as essential. Jalen Williams scored 20, with center-forward Chet Holmgren including 18 factors, eight rebounds, and 5 blocks.

Off the bench, defensive supporting casts Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace got here in for 10 factors and three steals every.

Oklahoma City wasn’t merely good—admittedly, they have been dominant. They racked up a league-leading 68 within the common season and piled on 16 extra within the postseason, the third staff in league historical past to report 84+ complete wins and seize the title in the identical 12 months.

Tyrese Haliburton’s Injury Derails Pacers’ Cinderella Run

The Indiana Pacers displayed coronary heart and grit all postseason. But their desires have been dealt a crushing blow when star level guard Tyrese Haliburton landed awkwardly on his proper leg in a non-contact damage mere minutes into Game 7.

Already nursing a calf pressure, Haliburton crumpled up driving in opposition to SGA and was assisted from the court docket.

Without their ground basic, Indiana fought bravely and even had a one-point lead at halftime. But the Thunder’s suffocating stress and defensive traps resulted in 23 Pacers turnovers, which OKC translated into 32 factors.

The recreation broke open late within the third quarter throughout a 25-12 Thunder run.

In a loss, Bennedict Mathurin led the Pacers with 24 factors and 13 rebounds as Pascal Siakam and T.J. McConnell churned out 16 apiece. Andrew Nembhard added 15 markers in 37 minutes.

Different NBA Champions in Seven Years

The Thunder are the seventh new NBA champion in seven years; a feat by no means achieved in league annals. From the seems of it, the youth-led success is commonly robust in the course of the NBA Finals.

Previous seven NBA champions:

• 2025: Thunder
• 2024: Celtics
• 2023: Nuggets
• 2022: Warriors
• 2021: Bucks
• 2020: Lakers
• 2019: Raptors

Oklahoma City can be the second-youngest staff in 50 years to seize an NBA championship, which marks what is likely to be the starting of a dynasty.

SGA Looks Back on the Journey

Until now, Gilgeous-Alexander couldn’t imagine that he and the OKC have been already NBA champions.

“Doesn’t feel real,” SGA mentioned. “So many hours. So many emotions. So many nights of disbelief. It’s crazy to know we are all here. This group put in hours and deserves this.”

When requested what he’ll keep in mind most about Game 7, The Freethrow Merchant grinned: “The fun I had. The moment was amazing; the fans were amazing.”