NBA Finals Game 7: Thunder beat Pacers for NBA title behind big game from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after injury to Tyrese Haliburton
The Oklahoma City Thunder are NBA champions.
Oklahoma City capped a thrilling NBA Finals Sunday night with a dominant second half in Game 7 to secure a 103-91 win over the Indiana Pacers and the franchise's first NBA title since it moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City in 2008.
Advertisement
A Pacers team that rallied for multiple unlikely wins throughout the playoffs kept pressure on in the fourth quarter after digging a 22-point hole. But without injured star Tyrese Haliburton, they couldn't complete the comeback.
The win caps a brilliant season in which the Thunder posted a league-best 68 wins and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named league MVP for the first time. Gilgeous-Alexander powered the Thunder effort Sunday night to put away a Pacers team that pushed them to the brink.
SGA caps historic season with Finals MVP
Gilgeous-Alexander was Oklahoma City's only reliable source of offense in a 16-point first half as his teammates struggled to produce against an aggressive Pacers defense that carried Indiana to a one-point halftime lead.
Advertisement
He continued to pace the Thunder after halftime as they seized control of the game and finished Game 7 with 29 points, 12 assists, five rebounds, two blocks and one steal. It marked a fitting end to one of the great individual seasons in NBA history.
The result in addition to securing the NBA title was a Finals MVP trophy for Gilgeous-Alexander to add to his trophy case.
"It doesn't feel real," Gilgeous-Alexander told ESPN after the game. "So many hours. So many moments. So many emotions. So many nights of disbelief. So many nights of belief.
"It's crazy to know that we're all here. This group worked for it. This group put in the hours. And we deserve this."
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has capped his MVP season with an NBA championship. (Photo by)
(Matthew Stockman via Getty Images)
Pacers keep fighting after Haliburton injury
The game was marred by a significant injury to Haliburton in the first quarter. Haliburton had hit three quick 3s and appeared on pace for a big game with a team-high nine points early on. But devastation struck late in the quarter.
Advertisement
Haliburton fell to the floor after re-injuring the same leg that previously sustained a calf strain in Game 5. He was in immediate and obvious pain, prompting his teammates to surround him on the court.
He needed help of the floor with the aid of a trainer and teammate. He couldn't put weight on his injured right leg as he was helped to the tunnel with a towel over his face.
Before halftime, his father, John Haliburton confirmed the fear to ESPN's Lisa Salters that Haliburton had sustained an Achilles tendon injury. The precise nature of the injury wasn't made clear, but a ruptured Achilles tendon could sideline Haliburton for a significant part if not all of the 2025-26 season.
Advertisement
His night in the biggest game of the NBA season and the biggest game of his career was clearly done. And without his services in the second half, the Pacers were overwhelmed.
The Pacers didn't wilt in the aftermath of the injury and continued to push the Thunder through the first half en route to a 48-47 halftime lead. But a Pacers team playing without its star didn't have enough in the tank to compete after the break.
OKC's defense does it again to secure NBA title
The swarming defense that has become Oklahoma City's trademark took over after halftime as the Thunder repeatedly turned Pacers turnovers into transition points.
Advertisement
For the game, Oklahoma City won the turnover battle, 21-7 while securing 14 steals. The result was a 32-10 advantage in points off turnovers for the Thunder.
As usual, it was a team effort with OKC's top defenders taking turns in frustrating Indiana's offense. Alex Caruso (10 points, three rebounds), Cason Wallace (10 points, 2 rebounds) and Luguentz Dort came up with three steals each as each player in Oklahoma City's starting lineup logged at least one.
And after posting just five points each in the first half, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren joined the party after halftime to help bring the title home. Williams finished the game with 20 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Holmgren added 18 points and eight rebounds and was a defensive force at the rim with five blocks.
The result was a 34-20 OKC edge in the third quarter that turned Indiana's one-point halftime lead into an 81-68 Pacers deficit. The largest lead of the game at the time set up the fourth quarter as a coronation for the Thunder in front of a raucous home crowd.
Advertisement
The Thunder delivered with an 9-0 run to start the fourth that added up to a knockout blow to an otherwise sensational Pacers season that ends in the heartbreak of a Game 7 loss and an injury to their star player that could cast a pall of the 2025-26 season.
Haliburton injury too much for Pacers to overcome
The Pacers got this far as the No. 4 seed in the East thanks to a remarkable playoff run that featured repeated remarkable comebacks from double-digit deficits. Those rallies were capped by Haliburton shots to win or force overtime in a win in each round of the playoffs, including Game 1 against Oklahoma City.
Indiana continued to fight after trailing by as many as 22 points at 90-68 in the fourth quarter and cut the OKC lead to 10 points. Bennedict Mathurin picked up the slack from Haliburton's absence with a team-high 24 points and 13 rebounds off the bench.
Advertisement
Pascal Siakam (16 points, four rebounds), Andrew Nembhard (15 points, six rebounds, five assists) and TJ McConnell (16 points, six rebounds, seven turnovers) helped keep the Pacers in the game early. But without Haliburton, they didn't have the firepower to complete the rally that they have so many times before this postseason.
The Thunder held on to celebrate the first major professional championship in Oklahoma City history in front of their home crowd.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
How to watch Seattle Sounders vs Paris Saint-Germain: TV channel and live stream for Club World Cup today
Paris Saint-Germain will close out their Club World Cup group stage campaign today, meeting the Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field. The Parisiens have had mixed fortunes in the United States, producing a formidable 4-0 win over ten-man Atletico Madrid in their opener before falling to a frustrated 1-0 loss to Botafogo. Advertisement Igor Jesus, reportedly set to join Nottingham Forest this summer, was the goalscorer in the Botafogo defeat. Luis Enrique, though, highlighted the efforts of their back-line as a defining factor in the result. 'Botafogo was the team that defended us best all season, obviously in our League and in the Champions League,' he said. 'They made a low block from the start and were very efficient, united. We didn't generate as many chances as usual.' The champions of Europe could not muster a response to his first-half strike, failing to convert any of their 16 shots, 10 corners, and 75% possession. Despite enjoying home pitch advantage for much of the competition, Seattle sit bottom of Group B with zero points. They are not yet eliminated, though, thanks to the middling fortunes of Atletico and PSG, and could still qualify with a win. Advertisement Goal difference is not an issue, either, as any win would see them surpass Atletico's tally of -2. How to watch Seattle Sounders vs PSG Live stream: Viewers can watch the action live online via the DAZN website. Kick-off is at 8pm this evening. DAZN is the global broadcaster of the new-look Club World Cup. No subscription is required to watch the game, with the entire tournament available to their 'Freemium' members, which means you only need to sign up for a free DAZN account. Live blog: Follow the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog!
Black America Web
24 minutes ago
- Black America Web
Kevin Durant Learned of Trade To Houston Rockets During Fanatics Fest Interview, NBA X Reacts
Source: Slaven Vlasic / Getty / Kevin Durant Kevin Durant will be hooping in Houston. The now-former member of the Phoenix Suns learned about his trade while being interviewed by Taylor Rooks at Fanatics Fest. These are one of those moments where you truly appreciate sports, particularly the NBA trade machine, because it's absolutely wild. Durant seemed surprised as fans and Rooks broke the news that the two-time NBA champion and 15-time All-Star would be heading to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in this year's draft, and five second-round picks. ESPN's Shams Charania broke the news of the blockbuster trade Sunday afternoon, which was news to Durant. ESPN reports, 'the trade can be formally completed when the new league year begins July 6.' When he was asked if the news was real, Durant played coy, saying he didn't have a clue, adding, 'We're gonna see, man, we're gonna see.' The trade is indeed real, and it will see Durant join a Houston Rockets team that has been on the rise since hiring Ime Udoka as its coach. The Rockets finished 2nd in the Western Conference and hope the addition of Durant makes them a legit contender for the NBA title, which could either go to the Oklahoma City Thunder or Indiana Pacers tonight when Game 7 of the NBA Finals tips off. The Rockets were also one of Durant's three preferred landing spots, along with the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs. The deal also reunites Druant with Udoka; they share a strong relationship, thanks to their time together in Brooklyn and with USA Basketball. The move also marks the end of the Phoenix Suns' experiments, which saw Durant team up with Bradley Beal and Devin Booker, a pairing that never really amounted to the feared big three many thought it would be when KD and Beal became members of the Suns. NBA X, specifically Rockets fans, have been reacting to the news as well; you can see those reactions in the gallery below. Kevin Durant Learned of Trade To Houston Rockets During Fanatics Fest Interview, NBA X Reacts was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Steelers hint at new Terrible Towel, special announcement coming next week
Steelers fans may soon get a glimpse at the 50th anniversary edition of the Terrible Towel — as a special announcement is coming next week. The official Steelers Pro Shop teased that a reveal is coming, posting an image on social media of what appears to be a close-up of the 50th anniversary 2025 Terrible Towel. Back in May, Steelers President Art Rooney II claimed a new throwback jersey was set to be revealed in July, and also hinted at a 'little celebration' for the 50th anniversary of the Terrible Towel. Advertisement The Steelers debuted the Terrible Towel on December 27, 1975, in a playoff matchup against the Baltimore Colts, and it has since become a larger-than-life symbol of Pittsburgh sports — evident by its journeys to unbelievable locations such as Mt. Everest and space. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers shop teases special announcement for next week
