If you’re asking who won the NBA, the answer isn't just a team name; it’s a total shift in the league's power structure. On June 22, 2025, the Oklahoma City Thunder officially climbed the mountain, defeating the Indiana Pacers in a Game 7 that felt more like a street fight than a basketball game.
It was loud.
Paycom Center was a sea of blue, and when that final buzzer sounded with a score of 103-91, the drought finally ended. This was the first title for the franchise since they moved from Seattle in 2008. If you're counting the SuperSonics history, it’s their second ever, but for the fans in OKC, this was the "first."
Honestly, nobody expected the Pacers to be there. Most analysts had the Boston Celtics or the New York Knicks coming out of the East, but Tyrese Haliburton and a rejuvenated Pascal Siakam had other plans. They pushed the most dominant regular-season team in years to the absolute brink.
The Thunder’s Path: Who Won the NBA 2025 Title
The Thunder didn't just stumble into a ring. They earned it by finishing the regular season with a staggering 68-14 record. That’s historic. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) proved he wasn't just a "stats guy" by snagging both the regular season MVP and the Finals MVP.
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He joins a tiny club. Only guys like Steph Curry and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have pulled off the MVP and Finals MVP double-header by age 26.
The Finals itself was a rollercoaster. OKC was the heavy favorite—like, historically heavy. We’re talking about an 18-game difference in regular-season wins between them and Indiana. But Game 1 was a slap in the face. Haliburton hit a game-winning jumper to steal home-court advantage immediately.
Then came the back-and-forth. OKC wins Game 2. Indiana takes Game 3. By the time they hit Game 7, the tension in Oklahoma was thick enough to cut with a knife.
Why Game 7 Changed Everything
The deciding game started with a disaster for Indiana. Tyrese Haliburton, the heart of that team, tore his Achilles in the first quarter. It was brutal to watch. One minute he’s orchestrating the offense, the next he’s being helped off the floor.
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Even without their leader, the Pacers led 48-47 at the half. They wouldn't die.
But the third quarter happened. OKC erupted for 34 points while their defense, led by Chet Holmgren’s five blocks, locked the rim down. Jalen Williams chipped in 20 points, and SGA finished with 29 points and 12 assists. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement that the "young core" era was over and the "dynasty" era had potentially begun.
What Most People Missed About the 2025 Season
While everyone focuses on the Finals, the road there was full of weirdness. The Boston Celtics, the 2024 champions, didn't even make the Eastern Conference Finals. They got bounced by the Knicks in a six-game series that felt like a changing of the guard in the Atlantic Division.
And the West? It was a bloodbath.
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The Thunder had to survive a seven-game war against Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets in the semi-finals. If you didn't see Game 2 of that series, you missed OKC putting up 149 points. 149! In a playoff game! It was offensive perfection that we rarely see when the stakes are that high.
Key Stats From the Championship Run
- Finals MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30.3 PPG).
- The Margin: OKC finished 16 games ahead of the 2nd seed in the West, the largest gap in NBA history.
- The Sweep: They started the playoffs by dusting the Memphis Grizzlies in four games.
- The Youth: This Thunder squad is the second-youngest team to ever win it all, trailing only the '77 Blazers.
What Happens Next?
Now that we're into the 2025-2026 season, the "defending champion" target is firmly on OKC’s back. As of mid-January 2026, they are still the team to beat, though they just took a tough 122-120 loss to the Miami Heat where Bam Adebayo went off for 30.
The league is different now. We’ve had seven different champions in the last seven years. Parity is real.
If you're looking to follow the current season, keep an eye on the Detroit Pistons—believe it or not, they’re on a 60-win pace right now. The NBA moves fast. One year you're wondering if the Thunder will ever get over the hump, the next you're wondering if anyone can actually stop them from repeating.
Practical Steps for NBA Fans:
- Track the standings: Watch how OKC handles the "champion's fatigue" heading into the 2026 All-Star break.
- Watch the injury reports: Specifically for Indiana, as Haliburton's recovery will dictate if they remain a threat in the East.
- Study the cap: The Thunder won this title without being a luxury tax team, a rarity in the modern NBA that gives them room to get even better.