THUNDER WIN 2025 NBA FINALS AFTER PACERS STAR INJURY

On Sunday, June 22, the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers 103–91 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The Thunder won their first NBA title since moving from Seattle in 2008. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 29 points and 12 assists, while Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton exited early with an Achilles injury, putting the Pacers at a great disadvantage.

The Thunder’s championship run marks the culmination of a years-long rebuild after many of the NBA’s top players there being traded to other teams. General Manager Sam Presti’s long-term strategy paid off, with key contributions from young stars like Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren supporting MVP Gilgeous-Alexander’s historic playoff performance. “I’ve never been around a team that believed in each other like this one,” Gilgeous-Alexander said postgame.

The Pacers, making their first Finals appearance since 2000, were led throughout the postseason by Haliburton’s playmaking, averaging an amazing 9.8 assists per game. In Game 1, Haliburton stunned the Thunder with a buzzer-beating game-winner. Because of him, despite Indiana’s underdog status, they pushed the Finals to seven games. But just minutes into Game 7, Haliburton collapsed during a fast break with what was later confirmed to be a torn Achilles. The injury stunned teammates and fans alike. “We felt the air leave the room,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters.

The Thunder capitalized on Indiana’s misfortune, forcing 23 turnovers and turning them into 32 points. Jalen Williams, who had scored 40 points in Game 5, added 18 points and 3 steals in the finale. Meanwhile, the Pacers struggled to generate offense without their star, managing just 17 fourth-quarter points.

This victory marks a new chapter for the NBA, with Oklahoma City proving that teams can build a title contender without superstars. “We didn’t skip steps,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “This group earned everything.”

On the other side, however, Halliburton’s injury casts uncertainty on the Pacers’ future. He is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025–26 season. Still, Indiana’s playoff breakthrough shows that they have championship potential.

A celebratory parade in Oklahoma City was held Tuesday, June 24, with over 500,000 fans in

attendance. Thunder fans hope this is just the beginning of a new era of dominance.

Sources: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6446123/2025/06/24/nba-finals-2025-pacers-thunder-analysis-breakdown/