The Oklahoma City have finally captured their first NBA Championship since relocating from Seattle after beating the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game 7.
The Thunder were once again led by their best player, NBA MVP, Shai Gilgrous-Alexander. When his team and city needed him the most, he answered the call, going off 29 points along with 12 assists, 5 rebounds, and just 1 turnover.
Shai became the first player in 25 years, and the fourth player in NBA history, to win league MVP, the regular season scoring title, an NBA title and NBA Finals MVP. The other three were Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaq.
In the most important game of his career, Gilgeous-Alexander controlled the game through scoring, his ability to set up his teammates and playing tough defense.
The Thunder got help from others, including Cason Wallace (10 points, 3 steals off the bench) and Chet Holmgren, who chipped in 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 blocks.
The team’s other star, Jalen Williams, hit big shots down the stretch and Alex Caruso provided the defensive leadership the team needed, which earned him his second NBA title.
While the Pacers gave everything they had, losing star guard Tyrese Haliburton in the first quarter to an Achilles injury was a tough challenge to overcome.
But Indiana fought the entire game without their leader and even held a one-point lead at halftime. But as the second half rolled on, fans could see the team suffered without his leadership and ball-handling skills as the Thunder forced turnover after turnover.
The Thunder forced 23 turnovers while making only 8 themselves.
This marks the first championship in franchise history.
And this young team has the opportunity to build a dynasty, especially as they maintain a slew of first-round picks in the years to come.
