Oklahoma City Thunder crowned NBA Champions after a thrilling Game 7 against Pacers

Oklahoma: The Oklahoma City Thunder made history by clinching their first NBA championship since relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008. They defeated the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder to victory, scoring 29 points and handing out 12 assists, which earned him the Finals MVP award.

The game was marked by a dramatic turn of events when Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton suffered a leg injury just seven minutes into the contest. Despite his absence, the Pacers fought hard, holding a 48-47 lead at halftime. However, the Thunder's strong defence and offense took over in the second half, out-scoring the Pacers 34-20 in the third quarter and pushing the lead to as many as 22 points in the fourth.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was instrumental in the Thunder's win and earned Finals MVP honours. This achievement completes a remarkable season where he was also the NBA's scoring champion and regular-season MVP. Jalen Williams contributed 20 points, with 15 of those coming in the second half, helping the Thunder build a significant lead while Chet Holmgren added 18 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal, and 5 blocked shots, showcasing his defensive prowess.

With inputs from AFP