The Oklahoma City Thunder started the season with a victory and ended the season with a victory.
The Thunder capped a dominant season with a 103-91 triumph against the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, giving the franchise its first NBA championship since relocating to Oklahoma City from Seattle in 2008.
It was not easy for the Thunder even with the Pacers missing star guard Tyrese Haliburton who left the game with 4:55 left in the first quarter due to a lower right leg injury.
The Pacers’ resilience makes an opponent earn each victory, and the Thunder were challenged in the series more than they had been in the Western Conference playoffs.
The Thunder pulled away in the third and fourth quarters – carried by stars and depth that produced the best defensive team and No. 3 offensive team this season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered 29 points, 12 assists, five rebounds, two blocks and one steal and became the first player since LeBron James in 2013 to win a title, regular-season MVP and Finals MVP in the same season.
All-Star Jalen Williams scored 20 points, and Chet Holmgren added 18 points, eight rebounds and five blocks. Off the bench, Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace each had 10 points and three steals.
The Thunder won a league-best 68 regular-season games and 16 playoff games, becoming the third team in NBA history to win at least 84 games and capture the title in the same season.
In this mini-era of NBA parity – Oklahoma City is the seventh different champion in the past seven seasons – the Thunder are set up roster-wise to compete for multiple championship. They are also the second-youngest team to win a title in the past 50 seasons.
While the Thunder celebrated, a deflating pall hung over the Pacers’ loss. Haliburton, who suffered a right calf strain in Game 5 and played through it in Game 6, sustained the injury with 5:02 remaining in the first quarter trying to drive by Gilgeous-Alexander. He left the game when Indiana called timeout seconds later.
The Pacers’ mental and physical strength powered them to a 48-47 halftime lead, and the score was 56-56 with 8:32 left in the third quarter. But Haliburton’s absence was too much to overcome. Oklahoma City outscored Indiana 25-12 in the final 8:16 of the third for an 81-68 lead headed into the final quarter and pushed its advantage to 90-68 with 7:41 left in the fourth.
The Pacers’ 23 turnovers led to 32 Thunder points. Too many possessions without a shot attempt proved detrimental for Indiana.
Bennedict Mathurin led the Pacers with 24 points and 13 rebounds, and T.J. McConnell and Pascal Siakam each scored 16 points.
Celebrate Thunder’s NBA title with gear, books, keepsakes
NBA Finals Game 7 final score
Indiana Pacers — 91
Oklahoma City Thunder — 103
NBA Finals MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder star, is commonly referred to by initials, SGA. You can also call him MVP – not only of the 2024-25 regular season but now of the 2025 NBA Finals, too.
Gilgeous-Alexander became the first Canadian to win the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award after scoring 29 points and adding 12 assists and five rebounds in the Thunder’s 103-91 win in Game 7.
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 30.3 points, 5.6 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals and shot 44.3% from the field in the Finals. That made him the clear pick for Finals MVP honors, and he put his name in elite company.
Gilgeous-Alexander became the 11th player in NBA history to win the league MVP and Finals MVP in the same season, joining Willis Reed (1969-70), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1970-71), Moses Malone (1982-83), Larry Bird (1983-84, 1985-86), Magic Johnson (1986-87), Michael Jordan (1990-91, 1991-92, 1995-96, 1997-98), Hakeem Olajuwon (1993-94), Shaquille O’Neal (1999-00), Tim Duncan (2002-03) and LeBron James (2011-12, 2012-13). — Josh Peter
NBA Finals score: Two minutes to play
Two free throws by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has extended the Thunder lead to 98-86 with 1:51 remaining in the game.
Pacers staging late rally
After falling behind by 21 points, Indiana has proceeded on a 11-2 run that has made things slightly interesting in OKC.
The Pacers’ Bennedict Mathurin drove for a layup to cut Indiana’s deficit to 12 points at 91-79. The Thunder have called timeout with 4:45 remaining to go.
NBA Finals Game 7 score: Thunder opening things up
OKC has started the fourth and final quarter of this NBA season on an 8-0 run, the last three coming on a Jalen Williams 3-pointer. The Thunder now lead 89-68, opening up a 21-point lead with just 8:27 remaining.
End Q3: Thunder 81, Pacers 68
If the Indiana Pacers cannot hold onto the ball, they will lose the NBA Finals.
Already without star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, sidelined with an Achilles injury, Indiana’s inability to get quality possessions allowed the Thunder to open a 13-point lead – their largest of the game – headed into the final quarter of the NBA season.
The Thunder are harassing Pacers guards and using active hands to deflect and force errant passes. In the first four-and-a-half minutes of the third, the Pacers committed four turnovers. In the third, they committed eight. Overall, they have given it away 17 times.
Oklahoma City has turned those turnovers into a massive advantage; the Thunder are leading the battle in points off turnovers by a margin of 27-5.
Oklahoma City has four players in double figures, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading all players with 22 points and 10 assists.
Backup Pacers point guard T.J. McConnell, once again, had a massive third quarter, scoring 12 points in the period, to give him a team-high 16. In fact, McConnell scored the final 12 Pacers points of the period.
Tyrese Haliburton injury: Dad calls it ‘an Achilles injury’
John Haliburton, the father of Tyrese Haliburton, told reporter Lisa Salters that the Pacers star suffered an ‘Achilles injury’ during the first quarter of Game 7.
‘He said that Tyrese is doing as well as he can be under the circumstances and the entire family was back there with him. …’ Salters said. ‘He says that (Tyrese) is in good spirits and he is watching the game and he is trying to root on his team from back in the locker room.’
How to watch Pacers vs Thunder in NBA Finals Game 7
Time: 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT)
Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City)
TV: ABC
Stream: Fubo, Sling TV
Q2: Pacers 48, Thunder 47
The Indiana Pacers are showing some resilience without Tyrese Haliburton.
Despite Haliburton suffering a non-contact, right lower leg injury in the first quarter that knocked him out of the game, the Pacers, thanks to their depth and balance, are have taken a one-point lead into halftime after outscoring Oklahoma City by four in the period.
The Pacers have embraced a swarming defense, high energy and off-ball movement on offense to make up for Haliburton’s absence. Eight different Pacers have scored, with four of them having at least eight points. Forward Pascal Siakam leads all Indiana players with 10 points.
The 3-point shot is keeping Indiana in this game; the Pacers shot 8-of-16 from deep, while Oklahoma City – as it has for most of the Finals – struggled from deep, hitting just 4-of-18 (22.2%) of its looks from 3-point range.
For the Thunder, NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is leading the way with 16 points, though his most important contribution thus far may be his shot creation for his teammates; SGA dished out seven assists.
Oklahoma City has worked the ball into paint and is outscoring Indiana down low by a margin of 20-12. The Thunder have also forced Indiana into nine turnovers.
End Q1: Thunder 25, Pacers 22
A shadow, unfortunately, hung over the first quarter of Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
The Thunder took a three-point lead in what was a back-and-forth period, but that will be overshadowed by an apparent serious right leg injury to star Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton.
With 5:02 in the period, when trying to blow past Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Haliburton tumbled to the floor with a non-contact injury. Haliburton immediately slapped the floor in pain and discomfort, expression obvious emotion, appearing to shout “no” repeatedly.
After trainers spent several minutes tending to him, Haliburton was eventually helped off the floor and into the locker room with a towel draped over his head.
Haliburton had been aggressive with his shot, scoring 9 points on 3-of-5 shooting, with all makes coming from 3-point range.
Despite Haliburton going down, the Pacers were able to stabilize, inserting backup guard T.J. McConnell into the game.
The Pacers are shooting 38.1%, while Oklahoma City is shooting 50%.
Backup guard Alex Caruso came into the game and hit a pair of quick 3s to chip in 6 points, while Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Thunder with 8 points on 3-of-6 shooting.
Tyrese Haliburton injury
Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton went down with a scary injury with 5:02 left in the first quarter. Haliburton slipped with 5:02 on the clock after catching a pass from Obi Toppin and trying to drive by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He was emotional, pounding on the court as his teammates circled around him.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers timeline
With everything on the line, both teams came out with energy and intent.
But it was the visiting Indiana Pacers who took the early lead at the first media timeout.
The Pacers are up 14-10 through the first five minutes of action, with Indiana shooting a blistering 66.7% from beyond the arc. Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton was aggressive with his shot, particularly the 3, hitting 3-of-4 attempts from deep.
Haliburton leads all players with 9 points.
The Thunder are shooting 57.1% from the floor, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way with 6 points.
NBA Finals national anthem
Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and Oklahoma native Kristin Chenoweth (aka Glinda from the musical ‘Wicked’) gave a rousing rendition of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ before the start of Game 7.
What time is Pacers vs Thunder game today?
The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals at 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. local) at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Watch the NBA Finals with Fubo
Where is Game 7 between the Pacers and Thunder?
The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers in a decisive Game 7 of the NBA Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Pacers vs. Thunder Game 7 starting lineups
Indiana Pacers
Aaron Nesmith
Pascal Siakam
Myles Turner
Andrew Nembhard
Tyrese Haliburton
Oklahoma City Thunder
Jalen Williams
Chet Holmgren
Isaiah Hartenstein
Lu Dort
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Thunder already have NBA championship buses; Pacers coach not happy
Oklahoma City Thunder officials are certainly confident of a Game 7 win over the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals. Buses were seen at the Paycom Center, primed and painted and ready for a victory parade, with the words 2025 NBA Champions on them before Sunday’s winner-take-all game against the Indiana Pacers.
Word of the colorfully painted buses got around to Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, who no doubt will use that as motivation to ruin any championship plans by the Thunder.
“I just saw a video that’s probably going to go viral of some buses, open-top buses, presumably for the parade that are already painted with them as champions. That’s all I’m thinking about right now,” Carlisle said.
Indiana is looking to become the first road team to win a Game 7 on the road since the Cleveland Cavaliers overcame a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors in 2016.
Pacers-Thunder Game 7 referees
James Capers (13th Finals; officiated Game 3)
Josh Tiven (Sixth Finals; officiated Game 4)
Sean Wright (Second Finals; officiated Game 4)
Pacers vs. Thunder odds: NBA Finals Game 7
The Oklahoma City Thunder are favorites to win the series vs. the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, according to BetMGM (odds as of afternoon of Sunday, June 22):
Spread: Thunder (-6.5)
Moneyline: Thunder (-275); Pacers (+220)
Over/under: 215.5
Thunder vs. Pacers NBA Finals Game 7 predictions
USA TODAY: Majority pick Thunder
Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder 101, Pacers 96
Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder 107, Pacers 106
Scooby Axson: Pacers 116, Thunder 113
James Williams: Thunder 110, Pacers 105
Jordan Mendoza: Thunder 102, Pacers 99
How many Finals have the Oklahoma City Thunder won?
The Oklahoma City Thunder have one NBA championship. However, it came in 1979 when the team was the Seattle SuperSonics. They have not won a title since moving to Oklahoma City in 2008.
How many Finals have the Indiana Pacers won?
The Indiana Pacers have not won an NBA championship. They have two Eastern Conference titles (2000, 2025).
What was the last NBA Finals to go to Game 7?
The most recent NBA Finals to reach a Game 7 came in 2016 when the Cleveland Cavaliers won their first championship in franchise history. The Cavs were down 3-1 against the Golden State Warriors through the first four games before winning two games in a row to tie the series. Cleveland then won Game 7 on the road and became the first team in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 series deficit in the NBA Finals.
How many NBA Finals have gone to a Game 7?
The NBA Finals have gone to a full seven games 19 times in the league’s history. The first seven-game series was in 1951 when the Rochester Royals (now the Sacramento Kings) won Game 7 at home over the New York Knicks. The first 12 of those 19 seven-game series occurred in the 1950s, 60s or 70s, with just seven taking place since. The last time an NBA Finals went to a Game 7 was 2016, when the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Golden State Warriors on the road in the decisive game.
The Lakers have played in nine Game 7s – the first two as the Minneaplis Lakers before moving to Los Angeles – which is the most in NBA history. But the Lakers have only won four of those nine games. The Boston Celtics are 7-1 when playing in a Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
How many teams have won Game 7 of the NBA Finals on the road?
The Indiana Pacers have a chance to etch their name in a very exclusive list should they win the NBA championship: winning a Game 7 on the road. When the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals, they became just the fourth team in NBA history to win a Game 7 on the road. Here are the four teams that won the decisive Game 7 on their opponent’s home court (home in italics):
2016: Cleveland Cavaliers defeated Golden State Warriors
1978: Washington Bullets defeated Seattle Supersonics
1974: Boston Celtics defeated Milwaukee Bucks
1969: Boston Celtics defeated Los Angeles Lakers
NBA Finals MVP odds
Players with the best odds to win the Most Valuable Player award of the 2025 NBA Finals, according to BetMGM (odds as of afternoon of Sunday, June 22):
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder): -235
Pascal Siakam (Pacers): +310
Jalen Williams (Thunder): +1200
Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers): +1500
TJ McConnell (Pacers): +10000
Obi Toppin (Pacers): +25000
NBA Finals schedule: Thunder vs. Pacers
Game 1, June 5: Pacers 111, Thunder 110
Game 2, June 8: Thunder 123, Pacers 107
Game 3, June 11: Pacers 116, Thunder 107
Game 4, June 13: Thunder 111, Pacers 104
Game 5, June 16: Thunder 120, Pacers 109
Game 6, June 19: Pacers 108, Thunder 91
Game 7, June 22: Pacers at Thunder | ABC, Fubo | 8 p.m.
Pacers vs. Thunder NBA Finals Game 7 TV channel
ABC is televising Game 7 of the NBA Finals between Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers at 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT).
How to stream NBA Finals Game 7: Pacers vs. Thunder
Game 7 between the Thunder and Pacers is available on ABC. Fans can also stream the action with Sling TV and Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.
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