Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Crowned Finals MVP as Thunder Defeat Pacers to Win NBA Title
In a thrilling conclusion to the NBA Finals, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 103-91 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 7, securing the championship title on Sunday night.
The 26-year-old Canadian star was named the Finals Most Valuable Player after delivering a stellar performance, scoring 29 points, dishing out 12 assists, grabbing five rebounds, and contributing two blocks and a steal. This remarkable achievement makes Gilgeous-Alexander the first player since LeBron James in 2013 to earn both the regular season and Finals MVP awards in the same season.
“For me, this is a win for my family, my friends, and everyone who has been in my corner growing up,” Gilgeous-Alexander said during the post-game celebration. “We have a team full of competitors. We did what it took to be champions, and we deserve this. We rose to the moment, and here we are.”
Teammates Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren added 20 and 18 points respectively, contributing to the Thunder’s dominant performance. The Thunder outscored the Pacers 34-20 in a pivotal third quarter, turning a one-point halftime deficit into a commanding lead.
The victory marks the first NBA championship for the Thunder since relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008, and the second in franchise history. The team previously won the title in 1979 as the Seattle SuperSonics. This championship holds special significance for the city, as a Thunder banner will finally be raised in their home arena this October.
Despite a strong first half, the Pacers faced a significant setback when star guard Tyrese Haliburton left the game early due to an Achilles injury. Bennedict Mathurin stepped up for Indiana, recording 24 points and 13 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the surging Thunder.
The Thunder’s historic season included 84 wins between the regular season and playoffs, tying them with the 1996-97 Chicago Bulls for the third-most victories in a single season. Their triumph also continues an unprecedented era of parity in the NBA, becoming the seventh different champion in the last seven seasons.
With a young and dynamic roster, the Thunder’s future looks bright. “This is why you play the sport—you play to win,” Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized. “We have bigger goals, but for now, we’re going to enjoy this moment.”
