Oklahoma City Thunder defeat Indiana Pacers as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes NBA Finals history in Game 7
- Chas Post
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander became the 11th player ever to win MVP and Finals MVP in the same year. Gilgeous-Alexander put up 29 points and a playoff career-high 12 assists in the Game 7 win.
Following an injury to Tyrese Haliburton in the first quarter, the Pacers took a 48-47 lead into halftime but the Thunder dominated the third quarter to open up a double-digit lead. Indiana tried to make a late run but Oklahoma City held on to take home the franchise's first title since 1979.
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 30.3 points in his first Finals as the Thunder capped off a historic campaign, finishing with the third-most wins in a season. Jalen Williams totaled 20 points and two steals, while Chet Holmgren compiled 18 points and five blocks in the series-clinching victory.
"It means everything. It's why you play the sport. We have a team full of competitors that did what it takes to be champions and we deserve this," Gilgeous-Alexander said in the postgame ceremony after being named Finals MVP via ESPN. "We rose to the moment and here we are."
Thunder stats leaders
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 29 points, 12 assists
Jalen Williams: 20 points, 4 rebounds
Chet Holmgren: 18 points, 5 blocks
Alex Caruso: 10 points, 3 rebounds
Lu Dort: 9 points, 7 rebounds
Pacers stats leaders
Bennedict Mathurin: 24 points, 13 rebounds
Pascal Siakam: 16 points, 4 rebounds
Andrew Nembhard: 15 points, 6 assists
TJ McConnell: 16 points, 6 rebounds
Tyrese Halliburton: 9 points
NBA Finals recap
Game 1: Pacers 111-110
Game 2: Thunder 123-107
Game 3: Pacers 116-107
Game 4: Thunder 111-104
Game 5: Thunder 120-109
Game 6: Pacers 108-91
Game 7: Thunder 103-91
