In the NBA Finals, one team always gets to celebrate with joy, and the other has to face the pain of losing. That’s just how it goes, and Game 7 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers was exactly like that. You saw both sides of the story play out: one team gave an amazing performance, while the other was left feeling heartbroken.
In a truly unforgettable night at Paycom Center, the Oklahoma City Thunder made history. They beat the Indiana Pacers 103–91 in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, finally bringing home their first championship since the team moved from Seattle in 2008. For anyone interested in NBA betting Singapore or just basketball betting Singapore, this was a massive moment!
The Thunder wrapped up an amazing season, finishing with a remarkable 68–14 record during the regular season and playoffs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was absolutely incredible, proving why he’s an MVP contender with his heroic performance in the Finals.
Sadly, for Indiana, their hopes took a major hit early on. Their star guard, Tyrese Haliburton, had to leave the game in the first quarter after suffering a really tough Achilles injury. From that point, Oklahoma City took control. They played amazing defense, which led to consistent offense, securing a win that will forever be part of their legacy.
Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander’s Masterclass: 29 Points & 12 Assists Seal the Deal
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander really stepped up his game this season. He ended up winning the scoring title with a personal best of 32.7 points per game, along with his very first MVP award. Now, he can proudly add a championship, a conference, and a Finals MVP to his achievements. In Sunday’s Game 7, Gilgeous-Alexander delivered an amazing performance with 29 points, five rebounds, and 12 assists, finishing off one of the most impressive individual seasons in the league’s history.
He’s actually the first player in 25 years—and only the fourth ever—to grab the scoring title, regular season MVP, and Finals MVP all in the same season. The other basketball legends who pulled off this amazing feat are:
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (back in 1971)
- Michael Jordan (who did it in 1991, 1992, 1996, and 1998)
- Shaquille O’Neal (in 2000)
Gilgeous-Alexander himself mentioned, “Yeah, it’s hard to believe that I’m part of that group. It’s hard to even fathom that I’m that type of basketball player sometimes.”
Pacers Shaken Early: Haliburton Early Exit Due to Achilles Injury
Tyrese Haliburton had really been the driving force for Indiana, consistently putting up 17.7 points and 9.0 assists per game. He was the one who sparked their amazing playoff comeback and seemed to hit all the big shots when it mattered most. He even started strong in this game, sinking 9 early points, including three three-pointers out of four attempts.
But then, just under five minutes into the first quarter (at the 4:55 mark), he went down with a non-contact Achilles injury. You could tell it really affected both the team and everyone in the arena.
It turned out that their star guard, who was already dealing with a calf strain, had indeed suffered a serious Achilles injury. This meant his night—and very likely his entire 2025–26 season—was over. His father, John Haliburton, even confirmed the news during the ESPN broadcast.
Even though Indiana managed to barely hold onto a 48–47 lead at halftime, they really struggled to keep their offense flowing smoothly without him directing the plays. The severity of this injury didn’t just impact the Pacers during the game; it also cast a significant shadow over their hopes for a deeper run in the postseason.
Thunder Dominate Third Quarter: 34‑20 Run Puts Game Out of Reach
Halfway through the third quarter, the Thunder suddenly pulled away. They hit three 3-pointers one after another, giving them their real lead of the night. That moment was the big turning point in the game, scoring 34 points to Indiana’s 20. The Thunder never fell behind again, and by the time the fourth quarter started, their lead was already in the double digits.
They stretched their lead to as many as 22 points in the final quarter. The Pacers made a good effort to close the gap, getting it down to 10 points in the last few minutes. But by then, it was too late for the Pacers; they just couldn’t complete another incredible comeback.
23 Turnovers Destroy the Pacers: Thunder’s Pressure Game Pays Off
The Thunder’s defense was absolutely relentless. They made their opponents turn the ball over 23 times, which they then turned into 32 points—a massive difference in a Finals Game 7. OKC’s defensive players on the perimeter—Alex Caruso, Lu Dort, and Cason Wallace—each managed to get three steals. On top of that, Chet Holmgren added an amazing five blocks, setting a new record for a Game 7 in the Finals.
Because of this intense pressure, Indiana’s offense completely unraveled. T.J. McConnell made seven turnovers by himself, and nearly everyone on the Pacers had at least one. Without Haliburton there to calm things down, the Pacers’ ball movement really struggled.
The Thunder wasted no time in cashing in with fast breaks and transition three-pointers. It was a true masterclass in defense that ultimately determined how the game ended. This sort of game-defining defense is definitely something to consider when you’re looking at online sports betting Singapore.
Thunder Become First Team Since ’88 to Score 100 in Game 7
When the Oklahoma City Thunder put up 103 points, they did something no team had done since the 1988 Lakers: score over 100 points in an NBA Finals Game 7. Usually, these deciding games are tough, low-scoring fights, so OKC’s strong offense really showed everyone how dominant they’d been all season. This is definitely something basketball betting sites would have taken note of!
Even though they only made about 27.5% of their three-pointers, the Thunder still found ways to score. They got points by driving hard to the basket, scoring quickly on fast breaks, and getting second chances after missed shots. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a standout with 29 points and 12 assists, while Jalen Williams added 20 points, and Chet Holmgren chipped in with 18 points and 5 blocks. Their calm and adaptable play under pressure was just too much for Indiana to handle.
For the Pacers, Bennedict Mathurin led all scorers with 24 points. Pascal Siakam and T.J. McConnell each contributed 16 points for their team.
Thunder’s Triumph Defines a New Era
The Oklahoma City Thunder have truly made their mark, with a championship banner now proudly displayed at Paycom Center. This title isn’t just a well-deserved prize for an amazing season; it’s a clear statement that OKC is ready to compete for championships for many years ahead.
They wrapped up the regular season with an impressive 68 wins and only 14 losses. Then, they continued their strong run in the playoffs, going 16–6. This brings their total combined wins for the season to 84, which is the third-highest in a single NBA season ever! Only the 1995–96 Bulls (87 wins) and the 2015–16 Warriors (88 wins) have done better.
From Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s incredible MVP performance to the rise of Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, the Thunder’s young star players have proven they’re not just future talents—they’re dominating right now. Their 2024–25 journey also broke records for total points scored in a season, point difference, and how well they managed turnovers. This solidifies their place as one of the most dominant teams in recent NBA history.
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It’s exciting to see teams build such strong foundations, much like how a Singapore trusted betting site builds its reputation on solid performance and reliability. Just as the Thunder showed their dominance on the court, the best Singapore betting sites show their strength through consistent service and player trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Tyrese Haliburton’s injury impact Game 7 and Indiana’s performance?
When Haliburton hurt his Achilles early in Game 7, the Pacers lost their main player who sets up plays and scores big points. Before he got injured, he’d already put up nine points and hit three three-pointers, which helped the Pacers grab a small lead by halftime. His leaving the game really messed up their offense. Without his amazing court vision and calm under pressure, the Pacers ended up with 23 turnovers. They also gave up a crucial scoring run in the third quarter and just couldn’t catch up after that.
What made Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Game 7 performance MVP-caliber?
With 29 points and 12 assists, Shai gave us a masterclass in leadership and making the right calls under pressure. He ran the whole offense, got their scoring momentum going halfway through the game, and finished strong with some really disciplined free-throw shooting. What’s more, he managed the huge expectations and spotlight, performing brilliantly on the grandest stage. This cemented his status as both league MVP and Finals MVP—an amazing feat that hasn’t been matched since Shaq did it in 2000.
Why does scoring 100+ in a Game 7 matter in NBA Finals history?
It’s incredibly rare for a team to score over a hundred points in an NBA Finals Game 7; in fact, the Thunder are the first to achieve this sincethe Los Angeles Lakers in 1988. It means the team was able to perform at their best, both offensively and defensively, when everything was on the line—a quality that only truly elite champions can claim. This kind of clutch performance is exactly what makes Singapore NBA betting so exciting, as discerning bettors often look for these signs of true championship potential.
