The 2025 Finals were far from the cakewalk some expected, but the Oklahoma City Thunder were eventually crowned NBA champions after seven games.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander completed a historic season with a 29-point, 12-assist performance as the Thunder beat the Pacers 103-91 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday.

Indiana star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who was playing with a strained right calf, exited in the first quarter with an injury to his right lower leg. His father, John Haliburton, told ABC/ESPN that it was an Achilles injury.

Indiana stayed close through half-time, but the Thunder dominated the third quarter 34-20 to pull away. The Pacers, known for incredible comebacks this post-season, closed the gap a few times in the fourth quarter, but Oklahoma City’s swarming defence proved to be too much.

Tyrese Haliburton on crutches greeting his teammates pic.twitter.com/a3xhHFeqgf

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 23, 2025

The Thunder dominated the possession battle, forcing 21 turnovers and grabbing 13 offensive rebounds.

The title is the franchise’s first since moving to Oklahoma City in 2008. The Seattle SuperSonics won the 1979 NBA championship.

Gilgeous-Alexander shot just 8 for 27 from the field, but he made 11 free throws and had a play-off career-high 12 assists to just one turnover.

Gilgeous-Alexander became the fourth player to win the MVP, scoring title and Finals MVP in the same season.

Your 2025 @NBA Finals MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pic.twitter.com/9meV5pz7lj

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 23, 2025

Chet Holmgren finished with 18 points, eight rebounds and five blocked shots, while Jalen Williams added 20 points.

Oklahoma City compiled 84 combined wins in the regular season and playoffs, tied for the third most in NBA history, trailing only the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls (87) and the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors (88).

The Pacers appeared to receive a boost of inspiration after Haliburton was carried to the locker room, but their Cinderella story came up just short. Haliburton had nine points and was 3 for 4 from 3-point range before his injury with 4:55 remaining in the first quarter.

Benedict Mathurin had 24 points and 13 rebounds off the bench to lead Indiana. T.J. McConnell had 16 points, six rebounds and three assists but also had seven turnovers.