Shai Gilgeous-Alexander capped off a sensational season by leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to their first NBA Championship since relocating from Seattle, powering past the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in a decisive Game 7 of the Finals.
The 26-year-old Canadian guard delivered a masterclass in front of a raucous home crowd in Oklahoma, scoring 29 points and dishing out 12 assists as the Thunder clinched the series 4-3. His performance earned him the NBA Finals MVP award, making him just the fourth player in league history—and the first since Shaquille O’Neal—to win the regular season MVP, scoring title, and Finals MVP in the same year.
The victory marks a historic first championship for the Oklahoma City franchise since its move from Seattle in 2008. The last title under the franchise’s banner came in 1979 as the Seattle SuperSonics.
Youthful Thunder Make History
In a hard-fought and emotional contest, Indiana lost star point guard Tyrese Haliburton to a leg injury just seven minutes into the game. The 25-year-old, who had already drained three three-pointers, slipped while driving to the basket and had to be helped off the floor, visibly in pain. Despite his absence, the Pacers held a slim 48-47 lead at halftime.
But the Thunder—who boast the youngest NBA Finals-winning roster since the 1977 Portland Trail Blazers, with an average age of just 25.6—dominated the second half. They outscored Indiana 34-20 in the third quarter and surged ahead by as many as 22 points in the fourth.
“It doesn’t feel real,” said Gilgeous-Alexander post-game. “So many hours, so many emotions, so many nights of disbelief. But this group worked for it. We earned this.”
He added: “Our chemistry made it feel like we were just kids out there having fun. I’m excited for what’s ahead—this is just the beginning.”
Daigneault’s Transformation Complete
The win caps a remarkable turnaround under head coach Mark Daigneault, who took over in November 2020 during a COVID-shortened season in which the Thunder won just 22 games. This season, they set a franchise record with 68 wins and stormed through the playoffs to claim the title.
“They behave like champions. They compete like champions,” said Daigneault, 40. “They root for each other’s success, which is rare in professional sports. This is an uncommon team—and now they’re champions.”
The Thunder’s rise has been built on trust, development, and a relentless competitive spirit. “I’ve told the guys all year—just be who we are. That’s all we needed to do,” Daigneault said.
Heartbreak for Haliburton and the Pacers
For Indiana, the loss of Haliburton was a cruel turning point. The Pacers’ star had been battling through a calf strain suffered in Game 5 and was instrumental in their run to the Finals. His early exit dealt a blow to the team’s rhythm and morale.
“All of our hearts dropped,” said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. “He was in the locker room at halftime, still with the group, still believing we could do this. He’ll be back—we just don’t know how long it’ll take yet.”
While the Pacers showed grit and promise throughout the series, the night ultimately belonged to Oklahoma City—and to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whose extraordinary campaign has now been crowned with championship glory.
