The 2025 NBA Finals concluded with the Oklahoma City Thunder defeating the Indiana Pacers in a competitive seven-game series. This victory marked the franchise's second championship overall and its first since relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named the Finals MVP after a stellar performance throughout the series. The championship series began on June 5 and was the first to reach a Game 7 since 2016.
The series was characterized by dramatic swings and several come-from-behind victories by the Pacers, who set a postseason record with five 15-point comebacks. In Game 1, Tyrese Haliburton secured a win for Indiana with a jumper with only 0.3 seconds remaining. Although the Thunder entered the series as heavy favorites with a league-best 68–14 regular-season record, the Pacers forced the series to go the distance. The decisive Game 7 saw the Thunder prevail 103–91, though the game was marred by a significant injury to Haliburton, who tore his right Achilles tendon in the first quarter.
This championship crowned the seventh unique NBA winner in as many years, setting a record for parity in the league. Following the title, the Thunder continued their dominance into the 2025–26 season, starting with a 24–1 record, tying a league record for the best 25-game start. Conversely, the Pacers struggled in the following season's opening, hampered by the loss of Haliburton to his injury.
In February 2026, a particularly high-tension regular-season game occurred between the Thunder and the Denver Nuggets, serving as a rematch of their previous Western Conference semifinal series. In his return from a nine-game absence due to an abdominal strain, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 36 points to lead Oklahoma City to a 127–121 overtime victory. The matchup was notably physical from the start, resulting in the ejection of Lu Dort for a Flagrant 2 foul against Nikola Jokic in the fourth quarter.
Jokic, who recorded a triple-double with 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 14 assists, was also involved in a heated altercation with Jaylin Williams following the foul. During the confrontation, Jokic barrelled towards Dort before being intercepted by Williams, leading to technical fouls for both players. Despite the intensity and a minutes restriction that kept him out of the overtime period, Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance extended his streak of scoring at least 20 points to 122 consecutive games, placing him just four games away from an all-time league record. Other key contributors in the overtime win included Alex Caruso, who provided critical defensive plays and perimeter scoring, and Isaiah Joe, who hit two clutch three-pointers in the extra period.
The game highlighted the ongoing rivalry and physical defensive style between the two Western Conference contenders. Officials later defended the decision to upgrade Dort's foul to a Flagrant 2, citing unnecessary and excessive contact with a high potential for injury. Despite the loss, Jokic downplayed the frustration after the game, acknowledging that while the matchup was "chippy," it was a byproduct of the emotional and competitive nature of the sport.


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