Xinhua
23 Jun 2025, 12:51 GMT+10
WASHINGTON, June 22 (Xinhua) -- The Oklahoma City Thunder claimed the 2024-2025 NBA championship after defeating the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in a decisive Game 7 of the Finals on Sunday, winning the best-of-seven series 4-3 to secure their first title since relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008.
It marks the franchise's second NBA championship in history, with the first coming in 1979 when the team was known as the Seattle SuperSonics.
Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named Finals MVP after an outstanding series, averaging 30.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. In Game 7, he delivered a clutch performance with 29 points, five rebounds and 12 assists.
The series was deadlocked at 3-3 entering the final game. Early on, the visiting Pacers held a slight edge behind standout play from Tyrese Haliburton. However, midway through the first quarter, Haliburton suffered a lower leg injury and was forced to exit the game.
Despite his absence, the Pacers remained competitive, holding a one-point lead at halftime.
The Thunder came out strong in the second half, gradually building their lead to more than 20 points. Oklahoma City maintained control down the stretch and sealed the win with a 12-point margin.
Jalen Williams added 20 points for the Thunder, while Chet Holmgren contributed 18.
For the Pacers, Bennedict Mathurin led the team with 24 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.
Get a daily dose of Indianapolis Post news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Indianapolis Post.
More InformationSANTAREM, Brazil: As Brazil cements its position as the world's top soy exporter, a new wave of deforestation is spreading across the...
ZURICH, Switzerland: A wave of central banks across Europe surprised markets last week by lowering interest rates, responding to easing...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. economy is performing reasonably well, but Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell faces a difficult decision...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump has granted TikTok another reprieve, extending the deadline for its Chinese parent company,...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: As the global weight-loss market explodes, drugmakers are now racing to solve a less visible problem: protecting...
HAYWARD, California: In a significant step toward its commercial debut, Amazon-owned Zoox has unveiled its first factory dedicated...
LONDON, U.K.: In a landmark moment for Britain, lawmakers in the House of Commons have voted in favour of legalising assisted dying,...
Western support for Israel's right to strike Iran backs up a pattern of pre-emptive violence that critics say is further eroding international...
OTTAWA, Canada: Canada may boost its counter-tariffs on steel and aluminum imported from the U.S. if a comprehensive trade agreement...
BANGKOK, Thailand: Thailand's government is facing its biggest crisis in nearly a year, as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's...
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. President Donald Trump how bowed to pro-Israel elements in his administration and Congress, announcing that the...
ZURICH, Switzerland: The Swiss National Bank (SNB) lowered its key interest rate to zero percent on June 19 to respond to falling inflation,...