OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder has etched its name in the annals of basketball history by securing the franchise’s second championship title and first since relocating from Seattle in 2008.
The Thunder triumphed in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers, clinching the title with a score of 103-91 on a memorable Sunday afternoon.
This victory marks the first Game 7 in the NBA Finals since 2016 and the twentieth in the league’s 79-year history, with home teams boasting a strong 16-4 record in such crucial matchups.
The Thunder achieved a remarkable regular season, winning 68 games, a feat that ties for the fifth highest in NBA history.
The team also set a league record for average margin of victory at 12.9 points per game and was bolstered by the league’s most valuable player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
In the decisive Game 7, Gilgeous-Alexander, a 26-year-old Canadian and the league’s leading scorer, netted 29 points and provided 12 assists.
His outstanding performance earned him unanimous recognition as the Finals MVP, making him the first player to claim the regular-season MVP, scoring title, and finals MVP in the same season in 25 years.
Despite facing tough defense from the Pacers, who forced him into an 8-of-27 shooting night, Gilgeous-Alexander shined, hitting 11-of-12 from the free-throw line while contributing two blocks and a steal.
He averaged an impressive 30.3 points throughout the finals series.
“Feels amazing — so much weight off my shoulders,” Gilgeous-Alexander expressed after the game.
Jalen Williams also shined in the championship clash, scoring 20 points and making two steals.
Chet Holmgren recorded 18 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks, while bench players Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace each chipped in with 10 points and three steals for the Thunder.
Oklahoma City showcased its renowned defensive prowess during the finals, forcing the Pacers into 23 turnovers, resulting in 32 points for the Thunder.
However, the Pacers faced a significant setback with the injury of their star player Tyrese Haliburton, who had been battling a strained right calf since Game 5.
Haliburton suffered a potentially severe Achilles injury in the first quarter, leading to an emotional response from his teammates, particularly Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, who lamented the loss of a tremendous talent.
The initial quarter saw the Thunder maintaining a slight lead with 18-16 just before Haliburton’s injury.
Despite the setback, the Pacers managed to regroup, ending the half with a slim 48-47 advantage thanks to a buzzer-beater from Andrew Nembhard.
In the third quarter, however, the Thunder began to establish a commanding lead.
Isaiah Hartenstein’s layup late in the quarter gave Oklahoma City a 13-point cushion, and Gilgeous-Alexander’s three-pointer at the start of the fourth extended that lead to 84-68.
The Thunder even led by 22 points in the final quarter, but the resilient Pacers whittled that down to a ten-point margin with just 2:16 left on the clock.
Williams later sealed the game with two critical free throws, effectively ensuring the Thunder’s victory at 100-87.
Reflecting on their championship win, Williams remarked, “I think in a couple days I’ll be able to come back down to Earth a little bit. Right now, I’m just trying to enjoy the moment.”
The Pacers fell just shy of making history as one of the biggest underdogs to win an NBA championship.
Entering the finals as heavy underdogs, the Pacers had the longest odds for a team to win since 2004, raising expectations as they fought their way to the championship series.
Indiana had earned a reputation for making impressive comebacks throughout the playoffs, setting NBA records for 15-point comebacks and securing three wins after trailing by at least seven points with under a minute left.
The Pacers had a particularly thrilling start by stealing Game 1 from the Thunder with a last-second shot from Haliburton.
The pivotal swings in the finals stretched across various games; Game 4 was critical when the Pacers almost built a commanding 3-1 series lead, leading by ten points late in the third quarter.
However, Gilgeous-Alexander’s strong performance late in that game, scoring 15 points down the stretch, turned the tide in favor of the Thunder.
Despite facing additional challenges in Game 5, where the Thunder held off a late rally from the Pacers, Oklahoma City emerged victorious, securing the series.
Indiana managed to force a Game 7 with a dominant performance in Game 6, showcasing their grit and determination.
The broader competitive landscape in the league has shifted in Oklahoma City’s favor, signaling a potential new era in the NBA amidst the absence of historical dynasties.
Significantly, the Thunder is the second-youngest team to win an NBA Finals in the past 70 years, boasting an average player age of 25.56, narrowly younger than the celebrated 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers.
Oklahoma City’s dominance over Eastern Conference teams during the regular season, with a striking 29-1 record, and a 16-game lead in the Western Conference, placed them firmly as a formidable opponent.
Looking ahead, the Thunder has every rotation player under contract and a lottery pick for 2024, along with an impressive stockpile of draft assets.
With 13 first-round picks slated over the next seven years, the team is well-positioned to either deepen its roster or trade for established players.
The Thunder has become the seventh different team to win the finals in as many seasons, underlining the changing dynamics and strategies in the league.
Myles Turner of the Pacers insinuated a potential shift in the NBA’s construction narrative, suggesting that superteams may no longer reign supreme.
Oklahoma City’s general manager Sam Presti has successfully navigated both building a powerhouse roster through superstars and embarking on a methodical rebuild post-Harden trade.
The team’s trajectory started to take flight with the acquisition of Gilgeous-Alexander, who evolved into a scoring leader and future franchise superstar.
Notably, Luguentz Dort’s emergence as an undrafted free agent turned key contributor has also played a pivotal role in the Thunder’s success.
After initial seasons of struggles, the Thunder saw considerable improvements, culminating in a particular standout year with Holmgren and Williams joining the squad.
Good fortune, alongside strategic planning and skilled player development, has fostered Oklahoma City’s ascendance in recent seasons.
The two-time championship-winning head coach Mark Daigneault reflected on the evolution of the team since his inaugural season.
“There was never a specific timeline. You plan as many seasons as you can and you tend to them, then you see what happens,” he explained.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s remarkable journey and the team’s chemistry have set the stage for a bright future.
The Thunder enjoyed consistent success due in part to its top-rated defense, allowing a net rating of 106.6 throughout the season, while limiting opponents under 100 points.
Accomplished defensive players like Dort and Williams are recognized for their stellar performances, contributing to earning All-NBA Defensive selections.
The Thunder’s fast pace propelled by Gilgeous-Alexander has allowed them to stay competitive, outpacing the Pacers’ frenetic style throughout the season.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s prolific scoring and consistency proved essential for the Thunder, as he led the league with four games scoring over 50 points.
This season, he maintained a streak of 72 consecutive games scoring at least 20 points, which stands as the longest such streak since 1964.
Alongside his growth, Williams has emerged as both an All-Star and an All-NBA selection, demonstrating that the pair forms a potent foundation for Oklahoma City’s future.
The duo embodies the essence of teamwork with their palpable chemistry displayed both on and off the court.
Amid the current landscape with heightened salary expectations, the Thunder finds itself with ample flexibility to retain its talent moving forward.
As they embrace this exciting chapter, Gilgeous-Alexander expressed optimism about the team’s potential for growth, stating, “We definitely still have room to grow, and that’s the fun part of this.”
This championship win signifies more than just a title; it ushers in a promising era for Oklahoma City, with players committed to the collective success of the team.
Through young talent, unyielding dedication, and deep-rooted friendships, the Thunder continues to build a winning culture poised for future success.
With glory on the horizon, the team intends to capitalize on its momentum, striving for excellence in the seasons ahead.
image source from：nytimes
