THUNDER UP, never down. A new era begins in Oklahoma City’s franchise history as the Thunder break their championship drought, capping the season as the 2024-2025 NBA Champions.
The Thunder wrapped up one of the most dominant seasons ever, clinching the NBA crown over the Indiana Pacers at home in Paycom Center, 103-91, during a winner-take-all Game 7 on Monday (PH Time).
Freshly crowned Season MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered 29 points and 12 assists to earn the Finals MVP nod, with Jalen Williams chipping in 20 points and Chet Holmgren contributing 18 points, eight boards, and five blocks.
This marks the franchise’s first NBA title since relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008, with the previous championship coming in 1979 when they were known as the Seattle SuperSonics.
Two Sides of the Court
The Thunder’s run was historic, concluding a stellar season as the playoff’s No. 1 overall seed, powered by 68 wins and a record-setting average point differential.
For Indiana, the loss was especially painful, as they had to compete without All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who entered Game 7 already nursing a right calf injury.
Haliburton went down midway through the first quarter after slipping on the hardwood. He was helped off and never returned due to a “right lower leg injury,” feared to be a torn achilles.
Before going down with the injury, Haliburton had already hit 3-of-4 from beyond the arc for nine points. Even so, the Pacers had put together an impressive run led by Haliburton, who delivered a string of clutch performances, including a Game 1 buzzer-beater.
“My heart dropped for him. I couldn’t imagine playing the biggest game of my life and something like that happening. I just felt so bad for him. Prayers go out to him for sure. Hell of a player,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
Bennedict Mathurin, who led a late Indiana surge that trimmed the deficit to just 10 in the final three minutes, tallied 24 points and 13 rebounds. T.J. McConnell and Pascal Siakam both contributed 16 points apiece.
A Fan’s Take
While some viewed the Oklahoma-Indiana Finals as lackluster and low-rated, many Filipino hoops fans still celebrated Gilgeous-Alexander finally lifting his first NBA title.
“I feel so annoyed with anyone who still isn’t convinced that SGA is a great player. I’m not even an OKC fan, but I remember when that team was deep in a rebuilding phase,” a fan commented on and NBA post of Shai.
“Now they’ve grown into a championship caliber team, and SGA is the main reason behind that success. He’s the key piece that made it all possible. C’mon, guys! Give this man the high praise he deserves for all his hard work and sacrifices,” it went on.
While all eyes are rightfully on the champions and the Finals MVP, many fans can’t help but think how different this game might have turned out if Haliburton hadn’t suffered a brutal injury so early.
“Beat teams at the best possible potential. If not, it’s just lucky ratios. Had Tatum and Tyrese along with other players not been hurt this season, we all know things would’ve ended differently. Finals were mid to borderline boring. Next!” another fan commented.
In true sportsmanship, another fan shared a more upbeat message by congratulating the Thunder on their historic victory. Even so, the Pacers supporters still wished their star Haliburton had been able to finish the game.
“Congrats to OKC from a Pacers fan, both teams fought hard ‘til the end. Obviously it would have been nice to see what happened with a healthy Haliburton out there but that’s just how things go sometimes. Great future for both of these young teams,” an Indy fan said.
With the 2024-2025 NBA season now concluded, basketball fans can look forward to the next big event as the 2025 NBA Draft, headlined by Cooper Flagg, is set for Thursday, June 26, at 8:00 a.m. (PH Time).
