The Oklahoma City Thunder secured their second title in a historic seven-game battle
In short: The 2025 NBA Finals delivered a dramatic conclusion to the season. The Oklahoma City Thunder overcame the Indiana Pacers in seven games, marking the first NBA Finals Game 7 since 2016. This series featured a record-breaking run of unique champions and a high-stakes showdown between two teams seeking their first titles.
The series was a clash of contrasting trajectories. The Oklahoma City Thunder entered as heavy favorites, boasting a league-best 68–14 regular season record and a dominant +12.9 point differential per game. In contrast, the Indiana Pacers overcame a sluggish 10–15 start to finish 50–32, relying on an unprecedented postseason run that included five 15-point comebacks.
The matchup was defined by high-stakes drama and injuries. In Game 1, Tyrese Haliburton hit a game-winning jump shot with just 0.3 seconds remaining to secure an improbable victory for Indiana. However, the momentum shifted in Game 7 when Haliburton suffered a torn right Achilles tendon during the first quarter, ultimately leading to the Thunder's victory.
This championship holds significant historical weight for several reasons. It was the first time since 2006 that both finalists were seeking their first NBA championship. Furthermore, the victory marked the first major professional sports championship for the state of Oklahoma. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named Finals MVP, becoming the first Canadian to receive the honor.
The series also highlighted shifting league dynamics. It was the first Finals since the salary cap era began in 2002 to feature no luxury tax teams. Additionally, the matchup between Oklahoma City and Indiana represented the smallest total television market size in Finals history, with Indianapolis and Oklahoma City ranking 22nd and 26th respectively among the league's 28 markets.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2025 NBA Finals
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