If you walk into the Paycom Center in downtown Oklahoma City, you won’t see a 1979 championship banner hanging from the rafters. You also won't see a gold patch on the back of the players' jerseys—the little "tab" the NBA gives to teams that have won it all.
So, has OKC ever won an NBA championship?
The short answer is yes. In fact, as of the summer of 2025, they’ve actually won two. But the long answer is a lot more complicated, involving a messy divorce from Seattle, a legal settlement that basically put a trophy in "custody," and a historic 2024-25 season that finally gave Oklahoma City a title it can call its own.
The Massive 2025 Breakthrough
For nearly two decades, the "has OKC won" question was a painful one for Thunder fans. They had the talent. They had the MVPs. They had the deep playoff runs. But they didn't have the ring.
That changed on June 22, 2025.
In a grueling seven-game series against the Indiana Pacers, the Oklahoma City Thunder finally secured their first NBA championship since moving to the state. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—who pulled off the "superfecta" of winning regular-season MVP, Finals MVP, the scoring title, and the chip all in one year—the Thunder finished the season with 68 wins.
📖 Related: Why Netball Girls Sri Lanka Are Quietly Dominating Asian Sports
They became the second-youngest team in NBA history to win a title. Think about that. Most of these guys weren't even born when the franchise was still playing in the Pacific Northwest.
The "Shared" 1979 Championship Mystery
Before the 2025 glory, the only championship in the "franchise" history belonged to the 1978-79 Seattle SuperSonics. This is where things get weird.
When Clay Bennett bought the team and moved it to Oklahoma in 2008, a massive legal battle erupted. Seattle didn't want to lose their team, and they certainly didn't want to lose their history. The settlement that allowed the move created a "shared history" agreement.
Technically, the NBA record books say the Thunder have two titles (1979 and 2025). But practically? The Thunder treat the 1979 title like an estranged relative. They don't wear the championship patch for it. They don't hang the banner.
The physical 1979 trophy actually stays in Seattle. It’s sitting in a museum (MOHAI) right now. If Seattle ever gets an expansion team called the SuperSonics, the Thunder have already agreed to "give back" that history. They'd basically hand over the 1979 stats, records, and the title itself to the new Seattle team.
👉 See also: Why Cumberland Valley Boys Basketball Dominates the Mid-Penn (and What’s Next)
Why the 2012 Finals Still Stings
Honestly, most people thought the Thunder would have won a championship way before 2025.
In 2012, they had a "Big Three" that sounds like a fever dream today: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. They were young, fast, and terrifying. They ran through the Western Conference and met LeBron James and the Miami Heat in the Finals.
They won Game 1. Fans were already planning the parade. Then, they lost four straight.
That loss changed the trajectory of the NBA. James Harden was traded months later. Kevin Durant eventually left for the Warriors. For a long time, it felt like the 2012 Finals was the closest Oklahoma City would ever get.
The Blueprint: How They Finally Did It
The 2025 championship wasn't a fluke. It was the result of a "burn it down and rebuild" strategy led by GM Sam Presti. After trading Russell Westbrook and Paul George in 2019, the team hoarded a record-breaking number of draft picks.
✨ Don't miss: What Channel is Champions League on: Where to Watch Every Game in 2026
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: The cornerstone who turned into a superstar.
- Chet Holmgren: The rim protector who gave them a defensive identity.
- Jalen Williams: The versatile wing who became the ultimate "Swiss Army Knife."
They went from winning only 22 games in 2021 to winning 68 games in 2025. It’s one of the fastest turnarounds in sports history.
The Official Count: Where Do They Stand?
If you're looking for the hard numbers for an NBA trivia night, here is the breakdown of the franchise's championship appearances:
- 1977-78: Lost to the Washington Bullets (as Seattle)
- 1978-79: WON against the Washington Bullets (as Seattle)
- 1995-96: Lost to the Chicago Bulls (as Seattle)
- 2011-12: Lost to the Miami Heat (as OKC)
- 2024-25: WON against the Indiana Pacers (as OKC)
So, while the NBA considers them two-time champions, most fans in Oklahoma City view 2025 as the real "Year One."
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that the Thunder "stole" the 1979 title. Legally, the franchise is the same entity. But the Thunder organization has been incredibly respectful (or maybe just cautious) about not flaunting Seattle's history.
You won't find Gus Williams or Jack Sikma jerseys in the OKC team shop. They’ve essentially operated as an expansion team that happened to inherit a very talented Kevin Durant.
The 2025 win finally ended the "identity crisis." They don't have to talk about 1979 anymore because they have their own hardware now.
Next Steps for Fans and Researchers
- Check the Official NBA Ledger: You can verify the "franchise" history on the official NBA website, where the SuperSonics and Thunder stats are still merged into one timeline.
- Visit Seattle’s MOHAI: If you want to see the physical 1979 trophy, you have to go to Seattle, not Oklahoma City.
- Watch the 2025 Replays: Look for the Game 7 footage against Indiana to see Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 29-point, 12-assist masterpiece that finally brought a title to the 405.