Thunder Claim First NBA Championship, Haliburton Exits After First Quarter
After a thrilling series, the Oklahoma City Thunder claimed their first NBA Championship following their 103–91 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game Seven. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named NBA Finals MVP and became the first player since 2000 to win a scoring title, regular season MVP, and NBA Finals MVP. With their win tonight, OKC became the second-youngest team to ever win an NBA title behind the 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers. The Pacers’ evening was dominated by Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton’s exit in the first quarter and apparent Achilles injury, plaguing them throughout the game.
Haliburton Exits Early, Pacers Maintain Lead
The Indiana Pacers started the game 14–10, weathering the electric Paycom Center. Tyrese Haliburton opened with strong scoring, knocking down three three-pointers. Star forward Pascal Siakam showed his experience, seeking out his matchup in the post with OKC forward Jalen Williams. However, at the 4:55 mark in the first quarter, Haliburton went down with a non-contact injury to his lower right leg. Visibly emotional, he was helped off the floor and did not return. After the emotional blow, the Pacers managed to keep themselves in the game. Guard Alex Caruso’s back-to-back three-pointers and forward Chet Holmgren’s five points gave OKC a 25–22 lead heading into the second. SGA continued to lead OKC’s offense, with eight points in the second and 16 in the half. A defensive battle slowed the pace and kept the score even with 3:13 remaining. After OKC regained a 47–45 lead, Indiana’s Andrew Nembhard added to his nine first-half points with a late three to give them a 48–47 lead at the break.
Thunder Take Control and Power to Victory Amid Indiana Struggles
The Oklahoma City Thunder started strong in the second half with an 8–3 run to give them a 56–51 lead before a Myles Turner three for Indiana tied the game at 56. For the rest of the quarter, OKC outscored Indiana 25–12, led by their two young forwards, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. Indiana’s offense struggled without Haliburton, as backup T.J. McConnell scored all 12 during their run and was the only player to score in the final 8:32 of the third quarter. Entering with an 81–68 lead, OKC’s 9–0 run to open the quarter extended their lead to 90–68 with 7:41 remaining. Indiana battled late, with Bennedict Mathurin’s 16 fourth-quarter points leading the push. However, the lead never dipped below 10, and OKC would see out a final score of 103–91. SGA led all scorers with 29 points, Jalen Williams followed with 20, and Chet Holmgren put up 18.
Glory in OKC, but Heartbreak for Indiana
As the game wound down, both sides became emotional at the end of a grueling season. For OKC, the sheer delight and relief of winning their NBA title, for Indiana, the heartbreak of finishing second, and the injury of Tyrese Haliburton. As much as OKC deserved their victory, Pacers fans across the country will be left thinking: What if Tyrese Haliburton hadn’t gotten hurt? Meanwhile, OKC completed their historic season with the ultimate prize and cemented their place in basketball immortality. As they celebrate their 2025 NBA championship, this could be the beginning of a dynasty for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
