Inside Story

Thunder Strikes Gold: Oklahoma City Clinches First NBA Championship in Franchise History Thunder Strikes Gold: Oklahoma City Clinches First NBA Championship in Franchise History

The wait is finally over for Oklahoma City. After 17 years of near misses and rebuilding, the Thunder are NBA champions.

With a commanding 103-91 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, the Thunder secured their first championship since relocating from Seattle. Led by league MVP and Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who tallied 29 points and 12 assists, the Thunder capped off one of the most impressive single-season turnarounds in NBA history.

The win was bittersweet, as Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton suffered a devastating Achilles injury early in the game, cutting short what had been a sensational postseason run for Indiana.

But Oklahoma City’s dominance was undeniable. Emerging stars Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren played pivotal roles, with Holmgren recording five blocks and Williams delivering clutch performances throughout the series.

Built through smart drafting and patience under GM Sam Presti, the Thunder’s young core has blossomed into champions. With most of their roster under 27, the title could mark the beginning of a new dynasty in the NBA.

“It’s just the start,” Gilgeous-Alexander declared. “We’ve built something special — and now the world knows it.”


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