Oklahoma City Thunder won their first NBA title on Monday night by beating the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game 7 of the Finals. The game took place in Oklahoma City, where Thunder fans cheered as their team finished a remarkable season on top. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 29 points and 12 assists, earning the Finals MVP award.
This is Oklahoma City’s first championship since the team moved from Seattle in 2008. The last time the franchise won a title was in 1979, back when they were called the Seattle SuperSonics.
The Thunder’s victory came after a season where they won 84 games total, tying them with the 1996–97 Chicago Bulls for the third-most wins in one season. Jalen Williams scored 20 points and Chet Holmgren added 18 to help secure the win.
Indiana lost one of their top players, Tyrese Haliburton, early in the game due to a leg injury. Even though the Pacers led at halftime, the Thunder dominated the third quarter, scoring 34 points to take control.
Pacers player Bennedict Mathurin scored 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough. The Pacers were trying to win their first-ever NBA championship.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised his players for their teamwork and hard work. “They behave like champions,” he said. Now, the Thunder will raise their first championship banner in October.
This season also made history as the seventh straight year with a different NBA champion. And the Thunder became the youngest team to win the title in nearly 50 years.
