If you’re asking who won the nba basketball, you aren't just looking for a score. You're looking for the moment a franchise finally stopped being "the team of the future" and actually became the team of right now. On June 22, 2025, the Oklahoma City Thunder did exactly that. They took down the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in a Game 7 that felt like a heavyweight fight where both guys were out of breath by the tenth round.
It was intense. It was messy. Honestly, it was a little heartbreaking for Indy fans, but for OKC, it was the culmination of one of the most disciplined rebuilds in the history of professional sports.
How the Thunder Finally Grabbed the Larry O'Brien
The 2024-25 season was basically the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander show from start to finish. He didn't just win the title; he swept the floor with the league awards. SGA became only the fourth player ever to win the scoring title, the regular-season MVP, and the Finals MVP in a single season. Think about that for a second. We’re talking Kareem, Jordan, Shaq territory.
But Game 7 wasn't just a walk in the park. The Pacers, led by Tyrese Haliburton, were the ultimate "refuse to die" team. They had already set a record earlier in the playoffs for 15-point comebacks. When the Finals started, they actually stole Game 1 in OKC. Everyone thought the Thunder were too young. People said they didn't have the "grit" for a seven-game series against a veteran-heavy East team.
Then, the tragedy of Game 7 happened.
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About five minutes into the first quarter, Tyrese Haliburton went down. It was a non-contact injury—the kind that makes every fan's stomach drop. He had been playing through a lower leg issue all series, but this time his Achilles gave out. You could hear the silence in the arena. Even though they were in Oklahoma City, there was this collective realization that the best player on the opposing team was done.
The Pacers actually led at halftime, 48-47. It was incredible. Bennedict Mathurin came off the bench and played like a man possessed, dropping 24 points. But in the third quarter, the Thunder’s depth just wore them down. OKC outscored them 34-20 in that frame, and they never looked back.
The Statistical Dominance of OKC
The Thunder finished the regular season with 68 wins. That ties them for the sixth-best record ever. They outscored opponents by an average of 12.9 points per game throughout the year, which actually broke the 1971-72 Lakers' record.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 29 points and 12 assists in the clincher.
- Jalen Williams: 20 points of pure secondary scoring.
- Chet Holmgren: 18 points and 5 blocks, essentially turning the paint into a "no-fly zone."
Why This Championship Matters More Than Most
For a long time, the narrative around Oklahoma City was about "the ones that got away." People talked about Harden, KD, and Westbrook. This 2025 championship effectively buried those ghosts. They did it their way, through the draft and smart, under-the-radar trades.
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It’s also the seventh different champion in seven years. The NBA hasn't had this much parity since the late 70s. We’ve gone from the Celtics in '24 to the Nuggets in '23, and now the Thunder in '25. There is no "dynasty" anymore. It’s just a league where if you’re smart and your star stays healthy, you have a shot.
The Pacers shouldn't be overlooked here. They were a four-seed that knocked off the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers and then the New York Knicks. They were tough. Pascal Siakam and TJ McConnell played some of the gutsiest basketball of their careers, but you just can't lose your superstar in a Game 7 and expect to beat a 68-win juggernaut.
Common Misconceptions About the 2025 Finals
A lot of people think the Thunder won because Indiana got hurt. While the Haliburton injury was a massive factor in Game 7, remember that OKC won 68 games for a reason. They were the number-one defense in the league. They were also the youngest championship team since the '77 Blazers.
Another mistake people make is thinking this was the first title for the franchise. Technically, it’s their second. They won as the Seattle SuperSonics back in 1979. But for the city of Oklahoma City, this is the first one they can truly call their own.
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What’s Next for the Champions?
Now that we know who won the nba basketball, the question is whether they can do it again. The 2025-26 season is already underway, and the Thunder are currently the favorites to repeat. Shai is still only 26. Chet Holmgren is only getting stronger.
If you're a bettor or a hardcore fan, keep an eye on these things:
- The Western Conference Arms Race: The Rockets and Lakers both won 50+ games last year and are getting aggressive.
- Health Management: OKC’s "drive-and-kick" style is physically demanding.
- Draft Assets: Sam Presti still has a mountain of picks. They can literally trade for anyone they want if they feel a weakness.
The Thunder didn't just win a trophy; they validated a decade of patience. If you missed the parade, you missed the sight of a whole state finally exhale.
To keep up with the current season, you should check the daily standings on the official NBA site or follow the "Point Forward" podcast for deeper player insights. If you're looking to dive into the history, go back and watch the Game 7 highlights from June—the defense in that third quarter was a masterclass.