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This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
The 2024–2025 NBA Finals were the playoff championship series determining the champion of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The series was contested between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. After each team won three games, they faced off in the decisive seventh and final game. The matchup took place at the Paycom Center, home of the Thunder, where Oklahoma City Thunder defeated Indiana Pacers 103–91 to claim the championship. Thus, the Thunder secured their second NBA title in club history and won their first championship since relocating from Seattle to Oklahoma in 2008.
Control of the seven-game series shifted back and forth at times. The Pacers started stronger, winning two of the first three games to take a 2–1 lead. The Thunder gained the upper hand in Games Four and Five, but Indiana won Game Six at home to force a decisive seventh game. This matchup marked the 20th time in NBA history that a Finals series went to a seventh game and the first such occurrence since 2016. Before the game, Broadway actress Kristin Chenoweth, a native of Oklahoma, performed the national anthem, an event covered by local media.
Final series results – NBA
The final game began evenly balanced. Both teams scored in the first quarter, but Indiana Pacers’ player Tyrese Haliburton was unable to continue after suffering a right leg injury during the period. With Haliburton playing only seven minutes, the Pacers completed the first half leading 48–47. From the third quarter onward, the Thunder took control, altering the game’s tempo through defensive-driven scoring. Throughout the game, the Thunder recorded 14 steals, and Chet Holmgren matched the record for most blocks in a Game Seven of the Finals with five.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a performance of 29 points, 12 assists, and 5 rebounds in Game Seven and was named Finals MVP. He became the fourth player in NBA history to win the regular season MVP, Western Conference Finals MVP, and Finals MVP all in the same season. Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 30.3 points per game during the playoffs and reached the milestone of 30 points and 5 assists in 12 playoff games. Jalen Williams contributed 20 points, while Caruso, Dort, and Wallace each recorded three steals on defense.
Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder – Anadolu Ajansı
The Thunder established a profile defined by defensive excellence throughout the season. In the regular season, they outscored opponents by an average of 11.8 points per game and finished with a league-best 68 wins. Including the playoffs, the team amassed 84 total victories, becoming the fourth team in NBA history to record the most wins in a single season. Their defensive dominance was supported by exceptional interior defense; opponents shot just 62.2% from the restricted area during the regular season, a figure that dropped further in the playoffs. Oklahoma City forced opponents in the 2025 Playoffs to score below their season averages.
The team’s average age of 25.6 made it the second youngest championship roster in NBA history. The rebuilding process initiated by general manager Sam Presti in 2019 began with the acquisition of Gilgeous-Alexander via trade from the Clippers and was bolstered by the selection of Jalen Williams at 12th overall, the drafting of Chet Holmgren, and the additions of players such as Caruso and Hartenstein before the season. Head coach Mark Daigneault was named Coach of the Year for his leadership during the regular season and the Finals series.
The Indiana Pacers advanced to the Finals after finishing fourth in the Eastern Conference and defeating several opponents in the playoffs. Tyrese Haliburton’s playmaking role was pivotal for the Pacers throughout their run. However, his injury in Game Seven disrupted Indiana’s offensive structure. In Haliburton’s absence, Benedict Mathurin contributed 24 points and 13 rebounds, while T.J. McConnell added 15 points and 5 assists. Pascal Siakam scored 16 points, but Indiana struggled offensively in the second half and could not close the gap.
Under head coach Rick Carlisle, the Pacers found it difficult to maintain momentum after Haliburton’s injury and failed to respond effectively to the Thunder’s game plan in the second half. Despite pushing the series to a decisive Game Seven against the 68-win Thunder, Indiana ultimately fell short in terms of depth and offensive variety. Additionally, Indiana faced a statistical disadvantage: only four away teams have ever won a Game Seven in NBA Finals history.
The 2025 NBA Finals was a series defined by the Oklahoma City Thunder’s defensive organization, player development, and cohesive team play throughout the season. Despite Tyrese Haliburton’s injury, the Indiana Pacers managed to keep the series balanced. However, the Thunder maintained their advantage from the third quarter onward to clinch the title. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s outstanding performance throughout the season stood out, and the Thunder’s defensive strength and roster depth were decisive factors across the entire series. Recognized as one of the rare Finals to reach a seventh game in NBA history, this series is viewed as the culmination of Oklahoma City’s rebuilding process.
Champion Oklahoma City Thunder – Anadolu Ajansı
In the 2024–2025 NBA Finals, a seven-game series was played between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder won the seventh game 103–91 and completed the series 4–3 to become champions. During the game, Pacers player Tyrese Haliburton suffered an injury in the first quarter and was unable to continue playing. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points and recorded 12 assists for the Thunder and was named Finals MVP. Defensive statistics and rotational contributions were decisive factors throughout the series.
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June 23, 2025
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Series Overview