NBA Finals 2025 Game 7: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Lifts Thunder Over Pacers to Clinch Championship After Haliburton Injury
🌟 Introduction: A Game 7 for the Ages
In a season packed with twists, underdog comebacks, and the rise of new superstars, the 2025 NBA Finals concluded in dramatic fashion. The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers in a nail-biting Game 7, securing their second NBA championship in franchise history. The 112–105 victory was powered by a phenomenal performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who stepped up after Tyrese Haliburton exited early with an injury.
This wasn’t just a championship win—it was the moment the NBA officially welcomed its next generation of elite talent.
🔥 The Setup: A Battle of Young Titans
The 2025 Finals marked a changing of the guard. No LeBron. No Steph. No Giannis. Instead, two of the NBA’s youngest and most exciting squads — the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder — squared off in a battle that showcased speed, shooting, and pure hunger.
Why This Series Mattered:
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It featured two teams that missed the playoffs just 3 years ago.
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It was led by young superstars, not veteran dynasties.
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The series was tied 3–3 entering Game 7, each game decided by fewer than 10 points.
🏁 First Quarter: Haliburton Starts Strong — Then Disaster Strikes
The game started fast. Tyrese Haliburton came out aggressive, scoring 7 quick points and dishing 3 assists within the first 6 minutes. Indiana’s ball movement was crisp, and Pascal Siakam hit two early jumpers.
But the energy inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse turned suddenly. At the 4:32 mark, Haliburton pulled up lame after a transition sprint, clutching his right hamstring. He limped off, and despite attempts to stretch it out on the sideline, he did not return.
The Pacers held a slim 26–22 lead at the end of Q1, but the loss of their All-Star point guard clearly shook the team.
💥 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Takes Over
With the game now shifted emotionally and tactically, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sensed his moment. In the second quarter, he slowed the pace, attacked mismatches, and kept OKC within reach. He ended the first half with 12 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds.
After halftime, SGA turned from facilitator to assassin.
Second Half Stats:
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24 points in the 3rd and 4th quarters combined
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9-for-13 shooting from midrange
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3 steals, 0 turnovers in the final 18 minutes
His confidence was contagious. With every bucket, the Pacers’ defense collapsed further, unable to contain his footwork, change of pace, and high-IQ decision-making.
🧱 Chet Holmgren and the Defense of Destiny
While SGA was torching Indiana on offense, Chet Holmgren played the role of defensive anchor. The rookie big man blocked 4 shots, altered countless others, and forced Myles Turner to settle for long twos.
Chet’s presence allowed OKC’s perimeter defenders to stay aggressive, knowing the paint was protected.
Holmgren also added:
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18 points
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11 rebounds
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2 assists
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4 blocks
For a first-year player, Holmgren’s composure in a Game 7 environment was staggering.
🪄 Jalen Williams: The X-Factor
Jalen Williams, often the third member of OKC’s trio, had his breakout Finals moment in Game 7. He scored 21 points, including a crucial step-back three late in the fourth quarter that pushed the lead to 7 with 2:11 remaining.
His ability to defend multiple positions and provide secondary scoring proved critical in Haliburton’s absence, especially as Indiana’s focus turned fully to SGA.
⚔️ Pacers’ Brave Effort Falls Short
Without Haliburton, the Pacers leaned on Pascal Siakam, who put up 25 points and 8 rebounds. Andrew Nembhard tried to run the offense but struggled with OKC’s length and pressure. Bennedict Mathurin hit five three-pointers but cooled off in the fourth quarter.
Despite the adversity, Indiana stayed within one possession until the final two minutes. A late turnover by Nembhard, followed by a Shai mid-range dagger, sealed their fate.
🏆 Final Box Score Highlights
🔹 Oklahoma City Thunder:
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 36 pts, 9 ast, 5 reb, 2 stl
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Chet Holmgren: 18 pts, 11 reb, 4 blk
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Jalen Williams: 21 pts, 3 stl
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Josh Giddey: 10 pts, 7 reb, 8 ast
🔹 Indiana Pacers:
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Pascal Siakam: 25 pts, 8 reb
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Myles Turner: 17 pts, 10 reb
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Bennedict Mathurin: 19 pts (5 threes)
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Andrew Nembhard: 15 pts, 6 ast
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Tyrese Haliburton: 7 pts (injured, played 7 mins)
🗣️ NBA FINALS Postgame Reactions
🔊 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander:
“We’ve dreamed of this moment. This city believed in us when we were building. This is for OKC.”
🔊 Coach Mark Daigneault:
“This team was patient, committed, and fearless. We were ready for this moment.”
🔊 Rick Carlisle (Pacers Head Coach):
“We gave everything we had. Losing Tyrese hurt, but our guys battled. Respect to OKC — they earned it.”
🥇 NBA Finals Finals MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
There was no debate. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander earned the 2025 NBA Finals MVP, averaging:
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28.3 PPG
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7.1 APG
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51.4% FG
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93.2% FT
His combination of scoring, poise, and leadership was undeniable. In a Finals that had no superteams or dynasties, SGA became the face of the NBA’s future.
📖 The Thunder’s Rise from Rebuild to Champions
This championship caps one of the most impressive rebuilds in NBA history. Just four years ago, the Thunder were:
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Out of the playoffs
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Trading stars for draft picks
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Developing young players in the G League
Under GM Sam Presti, they turned draft picks into:
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SGA (via Paul George trade)
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Chet Holmgren
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Jalen Williams
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Tre Mann, Giddey, Dort (depth and defense)
Add a modern coach like Daigneault, and you get a perfect blend of youth, spacing, and intensity.
🤕 What Happens Now for the Pacers?
The Pacers’ Finals run was no fluke. Haliburton had been averaging 21.5 PPG and 10.1 APG in the playoffs before his injury. They also found playoff heroes in Mathurin, Nembhard, and Obi Toppin.
However, questions now arise:
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Will Haliburton recover fully in time for 2025–26?
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Will Indiana seek more depth at point guard?
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Can Siakam stay long-term?
Still, they’ve built an identity: fast, unselfish, and exciting. Expect the Pacers to remain Eastern contenders.
📈 NBA Legacy Impact
What This Game 7 Means:
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SGA enters superstar tier alongside Luka, Tatum, and Booker.
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OKC becomes a potential dynasty, with a young core all under 27.
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Pacers prove the East is no longer ruled by Boston/Milwaukee alone.
NBA fans witnessed the passing of the torch from aging stars to a new generation ready to take over.
🧠 NBA Key Takeaways
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🏀 Injury impact: Haliburton’s exit changed everything.
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⭐ SGA’s rise: From All-Star to Finals MVP.
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🧱 Defense wins: Holmgren’s rim protection was elite.
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💪 Depth matters: OKC’s bench outscored Indiana 32–21.
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👑 A new NBA king: The Thunder now wear the crown.
🏁 NBA Final Word
The 2025 NBA Finals will be remembered not just for the final score, but for the emergence of new stars, new rivalries, and a reshaped NBA landscape.
In the face of adversity, one man stood tall — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the silent assassin turned league superstar. With poise, craft, and sheer will, he led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a championship that signals the start of a potential dynasty.
Oklahoma City is no longer rebuilding. They’ve arrived — and they might be staying at the top for a long time.
