The Pacers were in a bad luck and were inspired to finish the first half with a one-point lead.
The NBA Finals 2025 was a fierce battle that continued to take place until the seventh game, and in the final match held on June 22nd (23rd Japan time), the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers 103-91 to win the final match. Apart from the Sonics’ predecessor’s victory in the 1978-79 season, he was the first in franchise history to become the NBA champion. The start was on equal terms. Both teams showed spirited play from the beginning, and the Pacers did not give up the lead, with Pascal Siakam and TJ McConnell making a presence on offensive and defensive side in the middle of the first quarter. However, just as the first quarter was approaching the end of the first quarter, an unexpected situation came. With five minutes remaining, Pacers ace Tyrese Halliburton received a pass and tried to set up a drive, but fell over. I couldn’t stand up like that. After being reported to have an Achilles tendon injury, Halliburton was loaned his shoulder by a teammate and headed to the locker room. It’s not possible to say that the Pacers members were unshakable. Still, it seemed that the Pacers were outperforming their spirits in the second quarter. Andrew Nemhard’s 3-point shot brought the game around the end of the first half, and they headed back with a one-point lead of 48-47.
The moment when the game was moved in the third quarter, the light and darkness of the victory and loss were differentiated
However, the game will move significantly in the second half, especially in the third quarter. The Thunder suddenly increased his defensive strength and brought seven turnovers out of the Pacers in this quarter alone. He then scored one after another from the transition, setting a double-digit lead, 81-68. What was particularly impressive was Shay Giljas-Alexander’s play in the first half of the third quarter. With 8 minutes and 16 seconds remaining, the team was 56-56, and he sank a step-back 3-point shot from the top, and then he made a 3-point shot with Chet Holmgren 30 seconds later and Jalen Williams 30 seconds later. He expanded his lead. The Pacers also showed McConnell’s stubborn performance, but were not enough to compete. The Thunder, who received cheers from the home, calmly played the game in the fourth quarter and did not give up any initiative. They held the lead until the end and won. The fierce battle that had not been handed down to each other throughout the series was brought to an end by a young “thunder”. The winner was SGA, who scored 29 points and 12 assists on the day. Giljas Alexander, who won his first season MVP, was selected as the unmatched Finals MVP in seven NBA Finals games with 38.2 minutes, 30.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.9 steals. After the match, SGA savored joy, saying, “It’s a great feeling. It’s been lifting my shoulders. It’s free from stress. I came every night with the desire to win, and sometimes things didn’t work out. But tonight we found our way. I’m so proud of this team and the members. I was able to get through with them. I couldn’t have felt any better as a champion.” When asked about the scene in the first quarter when he ran to Halliburton when he collapsed, he replied, “I just asked if he was okay. He looked so painful, and I don’t want to see a scene like that. That moment also made my heart fall. I was playing the biggest game of my life and I couldn’t help but feel very unfair. But the competition is sometimes unfair. For him, it was really bad. I just send prayers. He’s a great player, and the future is bright. I think that team has been really strong for a long time. I wish them good luck.” Jalen Williams, who scored 20 points in the team, scored 14 points in the third quarter, played a big hit. His bold drive and dedicated defense completely changed the flow of the game. “The challenges I’ve had so far have suddenly come to me,” he said at the press conference, and revealed that he was unable to contain his emotions when he saw his mother crying in the audience. Lou Dot, who also made a strong presence on defense, also called the team’s victory a “win for his people,” and walked the court with the Canadian and Haiti flags on his shoulders. Chet Holmgren also worked as a rim protector throughout the series, gaining great experience in his first performance. Head coach Mark Deignord, 40, who led a young team, has achieved a track record of winning the finals. The players were also highly trusted, and the coach’s words, “Be Where Our Feet Are (foot is where you have your feet = focus on the moment)” symbolized the mentality of the entire team. “This team is special. It’s all about competitiveness, professionalism, dedication,” he said, and pride in the years he spent with his players. Halliburton’s injuries were far too great for the Pacers, who missed out on their first NBA title. Teams that have lost the starting point for their attacks have become more noticeable turnovers in the second half. He surrendered his lead at the mercy of the Thunder defense. Still, head coach Rick Carlisle praised the players. “The start of the third quarter made the game a difference,” but he said that he created a highlight, saying, “The tenacity we showed in the fourth quarter showed us our true value.” He also mentioned Halliburton. “His playoff performance has been a hit in NBA history,” he said, adding that he “believes him to come back completely” in the event of injuries that are concerned about the long-term impact. This victory will be the Thunder’s first title since moving to the NBA. In addition to the young three-tiered pillars of SGA, Williams and Chet Holmglen, the Thunder, who will also hold two first-round picks next season, has the potential to further advance. As SGA said, “I can still grow, and that’s what I look forward to,” he said, and this time, reaching the peak this time may not be the end, but just the beginning.
