OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – JUNE 22: Jalen Williams #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates during … More
More than 16 years after planting roots in Oklahoma City, the Thunder finally stood tallest in the basketball world on Sunday night. It’s 6,081 days since the franchise’s first ever regular season game in OKC, but the ultimate goal has now been achieved.
In a Game 7 defined by tension, composure, and brilliance, the Thunder completed its climb —from a relocated franchise to NBA Champion. What began as a long-term vision reached its final form on the league’s biggest stage, as Oklahoma City NBA seized the moment and became the second-youngest team to ever win a title.
Paycom Center was deafening through the game, especially as the Thunder officially stamped its place in history, as fans of all ages — some of which have been following and cheering for this team since it was relocated to Oklahoma City from Seattle — finally got to see this team achieve what matters most.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came out hot, scoring Oklahoma City’s first four points. On the flip side, Tyrese Haliburton was fueling the Pacers’ high-powered offense, knocking down three triples in the first five minutes of the game. But shortly after, with the score tied at 16-16, Haliburton went down with an injury that would end his night. Dealing with a calf injury over the past few games, the worst case scenario unfolded as he was knocked out of the game with a reported Achilles injury as a result of the calf issue. It was a triumphant run for Haliburton in the playoffs to that point, putting together a historic run of incredible shotmaking.
Indiana showed fight even after losing its star player, hanging with the Thunder throughout the second quarter of a low scoring battle to that point. The Pacers even led the game 48-47 at the half. But the start of a third quarter was a spark for OKC, coming out with the energy to start building a lead. TJ McConnell had another magical run to keep the Pacers within arm’s reach, but the Thunder kept punching back.
Up 13 entering the final frame, Oklahoma City just needed to put together 12 good minutes to win it all. The Thunder did just that, extending its lead to more than 20 points in the first few minutes of the fourth quarter. The rest is history.
This is a moment that’s been a long time coming.
In the Thunder’s short time in Oklahoma City —less than two decades in total — the franchise has been heartbreakingly close to achieving what finally happened Sunday night. In 2012, it was the young and electrifying trio of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden that reached the NBA Finals, only to fall short to the Miami Heat. At the time, it felt like just the beginning. They were too young, too talented, too inevitable not to be back. But then Harden was traded that very offseason. And that group, once seen as the NBA’s future, never returned to that stage again.
In 2016, it happened again. Durant and Westbrook led the Thunder to the brink of another Finals, up 3-1 on the 73-win Golden State Warriors. One win away. But the door slammed shut following three straight losses. Another crushing ending. And soon after, another departure. This time Durant leaving for the same Warriors team that had just crushed the Thunder franchise. Twice the Thunder had reached the doorstep. Twice, a star player was gone in the aftermath. And twice, the fanbase was left gutted.
That pattern defined much of the Thunder’s early history. What followed were new chapters. Westbrook as the solo star, then a brief era with Paul George and Carmelo Anthony that fizzled before it ever truly ignited. But the turning point came in the summer of 2019, when both George and Westbrook were traded in a reset that needed to happen. It was the first true rebuild in franchise history, and it turned out to be the beginning of something special.
The George trade brought in a young, and in some ways unproven guard — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. While he was a lottery pick who had tremendous potential, his ascension to becoming an MVP was unpredictable. One of the picks from that same deal turned into Jalen Williams, who has emerged as one of the best two-way players in the league. Now, they’ve become the faces of this new era — and the leaders of a championship team.
It’s all come full circle. After so many versions of the Thunder, after so many close calls, they’ve finally broken through. No heartbreak. No exits. Just a team that stayed the course, grew together, and finished the job.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are NBA champions.
And this time, it feels like just the start.
