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Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Oklahoma City Thunder seal first NBA title by beating Indiana Pacers in Game 7
Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) controls the ball while Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) defends during the second half of game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images REUTERS Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) passes the ball while Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) defends during the second half of game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images REUTERS Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) shoots against Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) and guard Andrew Nembhard (2) during the second half during game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Julio Cortez-Pool Photo via Imagn Images REUTERS Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) dribbles against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) during the second half of game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images REUTERS Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) drives for a lay-up as Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) defends during the second half of game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images REUTERS The Oklahoma City Thunder capped an extraordinary season by defeating the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday to win the franchise's first title since relocating from Seattle in 2008. League MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the scoring in front of a raucous home crowd at Oklahoma City's Paycom Center with 29 points and 12 assists. He was also crowned the best player of the Finals, marking the first time since Shaquille O'Neal in 2002 that the same player had won the scoring title, regular season and Finals MVP honors. The Pacers suffered a huge blow early on when they lost star point guard Tyrese Haliburton midway through the first quarter with an Achilles injury and saw their title hopes dashed by a stifling Oklahoma City defense in the second half. "It doesn't feel real," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "So many hours, so many moments, so many emotions, so many nights of disbelief, so many nights of belief. "This group works hard. This group put in the hours and we deserve this," he added. The championship capped an extraordinary run for the Thunder, who ended the regular season with a 68-14 record, good for the fifth-most wins in a single NBA season. The Finals between two small-market teams was light on star power but delivered on thrills, as the surprise Eastern Conference champions Pacers pushed the best team in the league to the winner-take-all finale. The Pacers got off on the right track as Haliburton drained his third three-pointer five minutes into the game but the night took a terrible turn for Indiana when he slipped and fell two minutes later. The two-time All Star was in tears as his team's medical staff rushed to his side and a hush fell over the building packed with Oklahoma City fans. Haliburton was helped to the locker room but did not return, and while there was no official update from the team a TV broadcast reported he had suffered an Achilles injury. The resilient Pacers kept the game tight through a physical second quarter, putting up a terrific defensive effort to end the half up by one. However, the Thunder took soon control with Gilgeous-Alexander, who went 0-5 behind the arc in the first half, lighting the fuse with a 25-foot three-point jumpshot four minutes into the third quarter. The Pacers were masters of the late comeback in the postseason but without Haliburton they were unable to claw back the deficit with the Thunder opening the fourth quarter with a 9-0 run. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
NBA-Thunder beat Pacers in Game 7 to win NBA Finals
Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) controls the ball while Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) defends during the second half of game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images REUTERS Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) passes the ball while Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) defends during the second half of game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images REUTERS Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) shoots against Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) and guard Andrew Nembhard (2) during the second half during game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Julio Cortez-Pool Photo via Imagn Images REUTERS Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) dribbles against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) during the second half of game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images REUTERS Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) drives for a lay-up as Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) defends during the second half of game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images REUTERS The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday to win the franchise's first title since relocating from Seattle in 2008. League MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the scoring in front of a raucous home crowd at Oklahoma City's Paycom Center with 29 points and 12 assists. The Pacers lost star point guard Tyrese Haliburton midway through the first quarter with an Achilles injury and saw their title hopes dashed by a stifling Oklahoma City defense in the second half. The Finals between two small-market teams was light on star power but delivered on thrills, as the surprise Eastern Conference champions Pacers pushed the best team in the league to the winner-take-all Game 7. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 NBA Finals practice: What the Thunder, Pacers said on June 7
Jun 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) stands during the national anthem before the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers during game one of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images The Oklahoma City Thunder held practice on Saturday for the 2025 NBA Finals. They look to bounce back from a 0-1 series deficit after they lost Game 1 to the Indiana Pacers on Tyrese Haliburton's game-winner. Mark Daigneault, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins talked to the media after practice. Advertisement The Pacers will also practice after the Thunder. Haliburton and others will talk to the media afterward. It'll be similar to Media Day but on a smaller scale. During the media availability, Thunder Wire will conduct live updates of Saturday's NBA Finals practice: This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: 2025 NBA Finals practice: What the Thunder, Pacers said on June 7
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Thunder vs. Timberwolves score, recap: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 38-point night leads OKC to Game 2 win
The Oklahoma City Thunder are two games from the NBA Finals. (Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander accepted the NBA MVP award on Thursday, then looked like one in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals. The Oklahoma City Thunder star posted 38 points and eight assists in a 118-103 win to take a 2-0 lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves, who now have the unenviable task of needing to take four out of five from the NBA's top team by record to reach the NBA Finals. Advertisement A close game turned into a Thunder rout in the third quarter, when a 23-5 run put the game out of reach for Minnesota. The Timberwolves managed to cut the lead to 10 points later in the fourth quarter, but it was too late to pull off an Indiana Pacers-style comeback. Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday in Minnesota (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC).
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Player grades: Thunder stunned in collapse against Nuggets with 121-119 Game 1 loss
May 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) shoots a three point basket to win game one of the second round against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images OKLAHOMA CITY — The OKC crowd gasped for air after Chet Holmgren missed his second free-throw attempt. The final nine seconds felt like nine hours as Russell Westbrook quickly shuffled the ball toward Aaron Gordon as he scored his second game-winner of the NBA playoffs. This time, it was from the outside. Wow. Just a shocker of a finish. After playing with fire for most of the second half, the Oklahoma City Thunder were finally burned with a 121-119 Game 1 loss to the Denver Nuggets. Just like that, the first seed is down 0-1 in their Round 2 series. Advertisement Where to begin with this one? Let's start at the beginning to unravel this final result. It'll take all of Tuesday and most of Wednesday to properly digest the repercussions of this all-time collapse. To start, any theories that the Thunder will have the energy advantage because of the long layoff were thrown out the window. The Nuggets were equal fighters despite being less than two days removed from an emotional Game 7 win over the LA Clippers. The Thunder held a slight 27-26 lead after the first quarter. Tired legs finally showed, though. The Thunder went on a 24-7 run fueled by Alex Caruso's sparkplug off the bench. Their signature active defense took over as the Nuggets looked lost. Building up a 14-point lead, it felt like OKC was about to run away on the scoreboard. They scored 33 points in the second quarter and entered halftime with a 60-50 lead. Not an insurmountable lead, but you'll take a double-digit advantage into the break. And then the third quarter happened. Usually, that's the Thunder's money quarter, where they blow open the game. Instead, the Nuggets made things uncomfortable for the OKC crowd. Advertisement Knifing through referee extracurricular activities and questionable calls, Nikola Jokic put Denver on his back. The three-time MVP winner already had a 20-20 game in the bag after just three quarters. He manipulated contact and got to the free-throw line to the point that the OKC crowd chanted "free-throw merchant" at him multiple times. The Nuggets scored 35 points in the third quarter. The Thunder only had a 90-85 lead after three frames. Gulp. This was not how this game was supposed to go. OKC had every advantage in the books for Game 1 and still couldn't put Denver away. In a game they dominated, the scoreboard didn't reflect. Jalen Williams soothed any concerns with a strong fourth-quarter start. After struggling, the 24-year-old took advantage of Jokic being off the floor. The Thunder suddenly had a 100-88 lead less than three minutes into the final frame. Keeping a 10-point lead with around six minutes left, this felt like the Thunder were on their way to a Game 1 win. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander checked in to play closer. He was near perfection in that role. A stepback 3-pointer should've been a kill-shot as OKC's crowd erupted with a 113-102 lead with 4:31 left. Advertisement Play that scenario 100 times, the Thunder likely wins in 99 simulations. Instead, what transpired was a stunning collapse that saw Denver slowly melt away its deficit. It was the ultimate lesson as to what not to do in that clutch situation, as OKC suffered death by a thousand papercuts with one small mistake after another. Isaiah Hartenstein's floater with three minutes left should've been the dagger. The Thunder held a 115-106 lead. Then Jokic got to the free-throw line on the next possession. A couple of possessions later, he finished through traffic near the rim. Then on the next possession, he drilled a 3-pointer. Out of nowhere, the Thunder's lead was down to 115-114 with 1:07 left as Denver scored nine straight points. After Westbrook's daring outside attempt failed, Gordon's second-chance look was blocked. More on those two in a bit, as they totally redeemed themselves like it was the cult classic "Step Brothers" movie. The Nuggets intentionally fouled Gilgeous-Alexander. The MVP finalist made both free-throw attempts. Up by three points with 13 seconds left, the Thunder intentionally fouled Jokic. He made both free-throw attempts as 12 seconds were left. Advertisement Too busy looking to foul, the Nuggets forget about their paint defense as Gilgeous-Alexander had an easy dunk. The Thunder were back up 119-116 with 11 seconds left. The Thunder stuck to their foul-up-three strategy as Gordon made both free throws. It was the Thunder's turn to make their free throws. Except this time, Holmgren missed both attempts. Christian Braun got the rebound. Westbrook found Gordon and he swished in a game-winner from deep. Williams' Hail Mary attempt fell short. The Thunder shot 42% from the field and went 15-of-43 (34.9%) from 3. They shot 20-fo-28 on free throws. They had 27 assists on 42 baskets. Six Thunder players scored double-digit points. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with a near 33-point triple-double. Caruso had 20 points and five steals off the bench. Meanwhile, Williams only had 16 points and Holmgren was quiet with 12 points. Hartenstein finished with 12 points and nine rebounds. Lu Dort had 14 points. Advertisement Meanwhile, the Nuggets shot 44% from the field and went 10-of-32 (31.3%) from 3. They shot 27-of-33 on free throws. They had 18 assists on 42 baskets. Five Nuggets players scored double-digit points. Jokic had one of the best games ever with 42 points on 15-of-29 shooting, 22 rebounds and six assists. Gordon had 22 points and 14 rebounds. Westbrook scored 18 points off the bench. Jamal Murray finished with 21 points while Braun had 11 points and 13 rebounds. As Thunder fans filed out, everybody left stunned. Nobody could believe what just happened. How could you lose that game? Sure, Game 1 didn't go how you hoped, but you never apologize for wins. But to lose in that fashion is not only a gutpunch, but a series-altering result. Daigneault was met with a virtual mob for the first time. Twitter notifications heated every media member's phone with complaints. Scrolling through social media, you will see everybody wondering why the Thunder were so quick to intentionally foul instead of relying on their league-best defense. Advertisement These types of outcomes will cast doubt. Everybody leans on hindsight to surgically criticize every small mistake in the final moments that could've altered the final result. But it's a fruitless exercise. Reality is, the Thunder are down 0-1 in a game they led for most of the night. Such is life in the NBA playoffs. Let's look at Thunder player grades: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A-minus May 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dunks against the Denver Nuggets during the second half in game one of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images What should've been another career playoff moment quickly became a footnote. Matched up against Gordon, Gilgeous-Alexander bumped him off to create enough space to splash in the stepback 3-pointer as Braun's late contest wasn't enough. Advertisement That should've been the dagger. Instead, the Nuggets erased it from existence. Gilgeous-Alexander left the court with a sour taste in his mouth. He finished with 33 points on 12-of-26 shooting, 10 rebounds and eight assists. He shot 2-of-6 from 3 and went 7-of-9 on free throws. After a forgettable Round 1 series, Gilgeous-Alexander had his best start of the playoffs. An up-and-down mid-range jumper highlighted 14 first-quarter points. He got into a groove early on against his fellow MVP finalist. But a promising start was forgotten with pedestrian middle quarters. Gilgeous-Alexander turned it back up in the fourth quarter with 13 points, but that wasn't enough to secure the win. He went back to being a 30-point scorer, but not at the usual efficiency he's grown the Thunder accustomed to. On the other hand, he was OKC's best player in a playoff loss that looked eerily similar to last year's as his teammates struggled to show up. Even though fans were devastated, the Thunder can't afford to linger. They let Game 1 slip through their fingers, but they have to quickly shift their focus to Game 2 or risk losing this series already. Gilgeous-Alexander understands that as OKC tries to move on and salvage these first two games with a split. Alex Caruso: A-plus May 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) reacts after scoring a three-point basket against the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter during game one of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Let's start with the positives. Like clockwork, Caruso was a machine. If you want to understand a playoff riser, point to the 31-year-old. After a mundane regular season, he was the Thunder's second-best player in Game 1. A shocking result shouldn't erase what he did, though. Advertisement Caruso finished with 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting, six assists and five steals. He shot 5-of-9 from 3 and also had two blocks. He was part of OKC's closing lineup and logged 26 minutes off the bench. In a game where everybody besides Gilgeous-Alexander needed to knock off the rust, Caruso was the energy jolt ala Westbrook on the Nuggets. He disrupted passing lanes and was a play ahead of Denver. His nonstop activity fueled the Thunder's second-quarter run. To show how savvy a defender he is, he read Jokic like a picture book. He sagged off Westbrook to double the reigning MVP and knew the non-shooter would cut to the basket for a possible layup. Instead, Caruso intercepted the ball for one of his five steals. The Thunder then went with Caruso over Hartenstein to start the second half. The move immediately paid off as he hounded Murray for another steal-and-score in the opening possession. He was just everywhere all game and has been one of OKC's four best players throughout the playoffs. Advertisement Alas, Caruso's Game 1 brilliance will go down in vain. A stunning choke job will have all of the headlines. Still, the 31-year-old knows this is only the start of the playoff series. The one-time NBA champion understands the ups and downs that come this time of the year. You can't let it snowball into Game 2. Jalen Williams: D May 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) drives to the basket between Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (8) and center Nikola Jokic (15) during the second half in game one of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images This can't happen again. After last year's Round 2 exit to the Dallas Mavericks, Williams was painted as the poster child for the Thunder's title win. Play like he did against the Memphis Grizzlies, they could capture a championship. But play like he did in Game 1 against the Nuggets, this could be another disappointing playoffs. Advertisement Williams finished with 16 points on 5-of-20 shooting, seven rebounds and four assists. He shot 2-of-9 from 3 and went 4-of-6 on free throws. He also had two steals and two blocks. All of the pessimist's fears materialized in this game. Williams faded into the background. His drives to the basket resulted in misses and mid-range jumpers didn't fall. Like last year, Gilgeous-Alexander kept the Thunder afloat for most of the game. Only up by five points, Williams had a better fourth quarter. But the Thunder can't afford to let him work through inconsistencies. He must be better, as OKC's margin for error has thinned between playoff opponents. Chet Holmgren: D May 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) checks on forward Chet Holmgren (7) after he was hit during a play against the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter during game one of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Let's get the obvious out of the way — you've got to make your free throws. You've just got to. When you play the intentional foul game, you should know that you must make your attempts when it's your turn to get to the line. Anything less than that puts what transpired tonight into a possible reality. Advertisement That said, the Thunder didn't just lose because Holmgren clanked his two free-throw attempts in the final seconds. That was the punctuation mark, sure. But several smaller mistakes along the way led to the doomsday scenario. Holmgren finished with 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting, six rebounds and two assists. He shot 0-of-3 from 3 and went 2-of-4 on free throws. He also had four blocks and a steal. The Thunder need more from Holmgren. Either be a nuisance to Jokic or step up as a scorer. Or heck, do both. Everybody knows you're capable of it. But to do neither puts OKC at a serious disadvantage that it almost got away with until the final seconds. A lot of blame will fall on Holmgren for the free-throw failures. He and Daigneault are viewed as the main actors of this disastrous loss. But his shortcomings went beyond just the two loud misses. Highlights: This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Player grades: Thunder collapse against Nuggets in 121-119 Game 1 loss
