The Oklahoma City Thunder are NBA champions — and they did it in dramatic fashion.

In a wild Game 7 that swung on a devastating early injury and a second-half surge, the Thunder pulled away from the Indiana Pacers, 103-91, on Sunday night to win their first NBA title since relocating from Seattle in 2008. At the center of it all was MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who capped off a historic season with one more electrifying performance — and a Finals MVP trophy to show for it.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Seals It with a Signature Night

With the Thunder’s offense sputtering early and the Pacers’ defense smothering most of the floor, Gilgeous-Alexander carried the load — just like he has all year. He dropped 16 points in the first half, keeping Oklahoma City within striking distance as Indiana took a slim 48–47 lead into the break.

But the second half belonged to OKC — and SGA never took his foot off the gas.

The league MVP finished with 29 points, 12 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, and a steal in a commanding performance that left little doubt about who was the best player on the floor — or the series.

“It doesn’t feel real,” Gilgeous-Alexander told ESPN. “So many hours. So many moments. So many emotions… This group worked for it. And we deserve this.”

Haliburton Goes Down, and the Pacers Lose Their Spark

Game 7 took a brutal turn early when Indiana’s All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton went down with a non-contact leg injury late in the first quarter. He had just knocked down three early three-pointers and was off to a blazing start with 9 points before collapsing to the floor.

Teammates and medical staff helped him off the court — he couldn’t put any weight on his right leg. His father later confirmed to ESPN that Tyrese had suffered an Achilles injury. While the full extent isn’t yet confirmed, it could sideline him for most — or all — of the 2025–26 season.

The injury left the Pacers emotionally rattled, but to their credit, they didn’t fold. They went into halftime with a narrow lead and kept fighting well into the fourth.

Thunder Defense Turns the Tide

The turning point came in the third quarter. Oklahoma City’s signature swarming defense — the engine of their 68-win season — went into overdrive.

They outscored Indiana 34–20 in the third, flipping a one-point deficit into a 13-point lead heading into the final frame. By then, the Thunder were rolling — and the crowd could sense history.

The numbers tell the story:

• Turnovers: OKC forced 21 while committing just 7
• Steals: 14 total, with 3 each from Alex Caruso, Luguentz Dort, and Cason Wallace
• Points off turnovers: 32–10 in favor of the Thunder

And when the offense caught up? That was it.

Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, quiet in the first half, both came alive. Williams finished with 20 points and 4 assists, while Holmgren added 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 blocks to lock down the paint.

Pacers Run Out of Gas

Even without Haliburton, Indiana didn’t quit. They trimmed the Thunder’s 22-point lead down to 10 in the fourth behind a heroic effort from Bennedict Mathurin, who posted 24 points and 13 boards off the bench.

Pascal Siakam (16 points), Andrew Nembhard (15 points, 6 rebounds), and T.J. McConnell (16 points) all had their moments. But the magic that carried Indiana through improbable comebacks in earlier playoff rounds just wasn’t enough this time — not without their engine.

Their fairytale run ends in heartbreak, but the gutsy Game 7 effort underscored how far this Pacers squad has come.

A New Era Begins in Oklahoma City

The final buzzer wasn’t just the end of a game — it marked a new chapter in Thunder history.

After years of rebuilding, betting on youth, and trusting the process, Oklahoma City now has its banner moment. It’s the first major professional sports championship in the city’s history — and it feels like only the beginning for a team led by a 26-year-old MVP and a deep, disciplined roster.

Oklahoma City fans have waited a long time. Now, the trophy is theirs.

Final Score: Thunder 103, Pacers 91
2025 NBA Champions: Oklahoma City Thunder
Finals MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Source: Yahoo Sports – NBA Finals Game 7: Thunder beat Pacers for NBA title behind big game from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after injury to Tyrese Haliburton

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By AP — June 12, 2025

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers have made a habit of bouncing back after losses. And on Wednesday night, in front of a roaring home crowd and a star-studded audience, they did it again — this time on the biggest stage.

Behind a huge fourth-quarter rally, the Pacers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 116–107 in Game 3 of the NBA Finals to take a 2–1 lead in the series.

“This is the kind of team that we are,” said head coach Rick Carlisle. “It’s not always going to be the same guys carrying us — we need everyone ready.”

And everyone was ready.

Bench Comes Up Big

Indiana’s bench was the difference-maker, outscoring Oklahoma City’s reserves 49–18 — a staggering margin in a Finals matchup.

Bennedict Mathurin led the way with 27 points off the bench, while TJ McConnell delivered a stat line for the record books: 10 points, 5 assists, and 5 steals — a first for any reserve in NBA Finals history.

“Our bench was amazing,” said Tyrese Haliburton, who nearly posted a triple-double with 22 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds. “We just had guys make plays after plays.”

Pascal Siakam added 21 points for Indiana, which improved to 10–0 in games following a loss since mid-March — a streak that now includes this crucial Finals victory after dropping Game 2 in Oklahoma City.

Pacers Close Strong, Thunder Fade Late

The Thunder held a 5-point lead heading into the fourth quarter — a position they’ve dominated all season, going 61–2 in such scenarios during the regular season. But Indiana flipped the script.

Fueled by defensive intensity and timely shot-making, the Pacers outscored Oklahoma City 32–18 in the final 12 minutes. The Thunder shot just 35% in the fourth and couldn’t keep pace with Indiana’s energy.

“We had a lot of good stretches,” admitted Thunder coach Mark Daigneault. “But they had more good stretches than we did.”

Jalen Williams led the Thunder with 26 points, followed by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 24 and Chet Holmgren with 20. Despite their efforts, the team faltered when it mattered most.

“There’s a lot of areas we can clean up,” Holmgren said. “Everybody who stepped out there can be better.”

Home-Court History and Celeb Power

Wednesday marked Indiana’s first NBA Finals home game in 25 years — and the city showed up. Legends like Reggie Miller and Oscar Robertson were in attendance, along with WNBA phenom Caitlin Clark, adding to the electric atmosphere at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

And the stakes couldn’t be clearer.

Historically, the winner of Game 3 in a tied Finals series has gone on to win the title 80.5% of the time (33 out of 41 times). If that trend holds, the Pacers are now in the driver’s seat.

“It was back-and-forth all night,” Haliburton said. And he’s not wrong — the game featured 15 ties, more than the entire 2024 Finals between Boston and Dallas.

What’s Next

Game 4 tips off Friday night, again in Indiana. With momentum on their side and a city behind them, the Pacers have a golden opportunity to push the Thunder to the brink.

Source: AP News – Game 3: Pacers rally in the 4th, beat Thunder 116-107 to take 2-1 lead in NBA Finals

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Just one day after being named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showed exactly why he earned the honor, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a dominant 118-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.

Before tip-off, Gilgeous-Alexander received the Michael Jordan Trophy in front of a roaring OKC crowd. By the end of the night, he had tied his playoff career high with 38 points, along with eight assists and three steals. It marked his fifth consecutive playoff game with at least 30 points.

“It felt really good,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the game. “My emotions were high, I was a little too juiced up at the start. But this was a special moment.”

Team Effort Fuels Thunder’s Surge

While SGA stole the spotlight, it was a full-team effort that put the Thunder up 2-0 in the series. Rising star Jalen Williams contributed a stellar 26 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, continuing his postseason breakout. Rookie center Chet Holmgren also made a major impact, scoring 22 points and grabbing four boards.

The game remained tight through the first half, but just like in Game 1, OKC erupted in the third quarter. A crucial 14-2 run broke the game open and gave the Thunder a lead that swelled to 24 points. Although Minnesota clawed back to within 10 in the fourth, the Thunder never let them get closer.

T-Wolves Show Fight, But Fall Short Again

Anthony Edwards responded to his own call for more aggressiveness after Game 1, doubling his shot attempts and finishing with 32 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Jaden McDaniels added 22 points, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker—SGA’s cousin—chipped in 17 off the bench.

But it wasn’t enough to overcome the Thunder’s momentum. Julius Randle had his first off night of the postseason, managing just six points on 2-of-11 shooting.

Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch pointed to a poor close to the first half as a turning point.

“If we close the half better, we don’t put ourselves on such a razor’s edge in the third,” Finch said. “Missed shots and turnovers gave them the runway they needed.”

Looking Ahead: Game 3 in Minnesota

The series now shifts to Minnesota for Game 3 on Saturday. The Timberwolves have lost just once at home in their last 10 games and hold a 4-1 home record in this postseason.

“We’re going to fight for Game 3,” said Finch. “Heads up, look at the tape, and get ready.”

With the Thunder firing on all cylinders and Gilgeous-Alexander playing the best basketball of his life, the pressure is on Minnesota to respond.

Source: CNN – Newly-crowned MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Oklahoma City Thunder to dominant Game 2 win over Minnesota Timberwolves

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Playoff drama hit a fever pitch Monday night as the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks delivered jaw-dropping road upsets in their respective conference semifinal openers—overpowering the top-seeded Thunder and reigning champion Celtics in two of the most thrilling games of the postseason so far.

Nuggets Stun Thunder With Last-Second Heroics

Denver pulled off a stunning 14-point comeback to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-119, thanks to a clutch, game-winning three-pointer from Aaron Gordon with just 2.8 seconds left.

Oklahoma City had looked dominant early, riding the momentum of a first-round sweep and backed by MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who posted 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. Nikola Jokić matched the star power with a monster 42-point, 22-rebound performance for Denver.

But it was Gordon who stole the spotlight in the final seconds.

With OKC up by three after a dunk by Gilgeous-Alexander, a questionable foul strategy backfired. Gordon sank two free throws, and after Chet Holmgren missed a pair on the other end, Christian Braun secured the rebound, setting up Gordon’s deep dagger from beyond the arc.

It was Gordon’s second game-winner of the postseason—his earlier dunk in Game 4 against the Clippers also turned that series around.

“We didn’t want to miss the moment,” said Gordon. “We showed our grit, but we’re not satisfied.”

Game 2 of what’s shaping up to be a classic series is set for Wednesday in Oklahoma City.

Knicks Rally Past Celtics in OT After 20-Point Deficit

Earlier in Boston, the Knicks pulled off a comeback for the ages—erasing a 20-point deficit to defeat the Celtics 108-105 in overtime, stealing Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Boston started strong despite limited playing time from its core group this season and seemed in control—until their three-point shooting fell apart in historic fashion.

The Celtics went ice cold from deep, setting playoff records for both most three-pointers attempted and missed in a game. Their 15-for-60 shooting (25%) opened the door for a Knicks comeback.

New York’s Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby seized the moment, combining for 39 points in the final 23 minutes. Brunson hit clutch shots, while Anunoby bullied his way into the paint. The Knicks outscored Boston 53-30 down the stretch to force overtime.

Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in key buckets in OT as the Knicks defense tightened up and sealed the shock win.

“We told each other to keep believing,” said Brunson. “There wasn’t going to be a 20-point shot. We had to grind.”

Game 2 tips off Wednesday in Boston as the Knicks look to keep the momentum rolling.

Source: CNN – Dramatic endings as Nuggets and Knicks shock Thunder and Celtics in conference semifinal openers

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This NBA playoff season has seen a remarkable trend: teams mounting dramatic comebacks from 20-point deficits to win. It’s happening so frequently, it’s almost becoming routine. Over the past few days, the NBA witnessed three back-to-back games where the trailing team clawed its way back from a 20-point deficit to steal the win.

For the first time since play-by-play tracking began in 1997, there have been three consecutive days in which a playoff team came from at least 20 points down to secure the victory. The New York Knicks did it on Monday and Wednesday against the Boston Celtics, while the Indiana Pacers pulled off a thrilling comeback on Tuesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Add to that a 29-point rally from Oklahoma City in the first round, and we’re up to five 20-point comebacks in this postseason — a new record for the digital play-by-play era.

Here’s a breakdown of how these incredible rallies unfolded:

April 24: Oklahoma City Turns a 29-Point Deficit Into a Win

• The Big Lead: Memphis 69, Oklahoma City 40 (3:07 left in the 1st half)
• Final Score: Oklahoma City 114, Memphis 108

How it happened: Memphis looked poised to dominate after taking a massive 29-point lead. But everything changed when Memphis’ star, Ja Morant, left the game after the Grizzlies hit their peak. The Thunder capitalized on the injury, outscoring Memphis 74-39 in the second half. Chet Holmgren played a pivotal role, contributing 23 points during the comeback. Memphis, meanwhile, struggled to find the basket, missing 30 of their final 41 shots.

April 29: Indiana Overcomes a 20-Point Deficit to Shock the Bucks

• The Big Lead: Milwaukee 33, Indiana 13 (11:26 left in the 1st half)
• Final Score: Indiana 119, Milwaukee 118 (Overtime)

How it happened: The Pacers cut the lead to six by halftime, setting up an exciting second half. With just 40 seconds left in overtime, the Bucks led by seven, but Indiana surged back with an 8-0 run, capped by Tyrese Haliburton’s game-winning layup with just 1.4 seconds remaining. The Pacers’ gritty performance allowed them to steal the win, giving them a 2-0 series lead.

Monday: Knicks Rally from 20 Down to Stun Boston in Overtime

• The Big Lead: Boston 75, New York 55 (5:47 left in the 3rd quarter)
• Final Score: New York 108, Boston 105 (Overtime)

How it happened: After Boston opened up a 20-point lead, they couldn’t sustain their momentum. The Celtics’ shooting faltered as they made just 23% of their shots (9 for 39) and struggled with the three-pointer (6 for 28). The Knicks, led by OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson, kept fighting and outscored Boston 39-30 during the comeback. The game went into overtime, but neither team scored for the last 1:16 of play. Eventually, the Knicks finished strong and pulled off the victory.

Tuesday: Indiana Rallies from 20 Down Again, This Time to Defeat Cleveland

• The Big Lead: Cleveland 81, Indiana 61 (6:51 left in the 3rd quarter)
• Final Score: Indiana 120, Cleveland 119

How it happened: The Pacers’ chances seemed slim as they trailed by 20 in the third quarter. But Indiana fought back, outscoring Cleveland 59-38 in the final stretch. With just 1.1 seconds left, Tyrese Haliburton sank a clutch three-pointer to cap an 8-0 run, securing the victory. Remarkably, Indiana led for only a fraction of the game’s final moments — but it was enough to claim a pivotal 2-0 series lead.

Wednesday: Knicks Complete Another 20-Point Comeback, Lead Series 2-0

• The Big Lead: Boston 73, New York 53 (2:19 left in the 3rd quarter)
• Final Score: New York 91, Boston 90

How it happened: The Celtics, just like in Game 1, had a commanding 20-point lead but couldn’t seal the deal. The Knicks turned the tide, outscoring Boston 38-17 in the final 14 minutes. The Celtics missed 20 of their last 25 shots, including a dreadful 2 for 12 from beyond the arc. Jayson Tatum’s last-ditch attempt to win the game was blocked, allowing the Knicks to finish strong and take a 2-0 lead in the series.

These remarkable comebacks have kept fans on the edge of their seats and show that anything can happen in the NBA playoffs. Teams that seem to be out of the game are proving that it’s never over until the final buzzer. With these jaw-dropping rallies continuing to set records, this postseason is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.

Stay tuned for more updates on these thrilling NBA playoff comebacks!

Source: AP News – The year of the NBA playoff comeback continues. A look at how these 20-point rallies keep happening

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