Thunder Close The Deal, Win First Title Of OKC Era; Pacers Left Wondering What If

The Oklahoma City Thunder are NBA champions for the first time since relocating to Oklahoma City, defeating the short-handed Indiana Pacers 103–91 in Game 7 of the Finals on Sunday night.

It’s the franchise’s first title since 1979, when it was based in Seattle.

Indiana lost All-NBA guard Tyrese Haliburton to an Achilles injury in the first quarter and never fully recovered. He did not return, and the Pacers’ hopes of a first-ever NBA title faded fast without him.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, already named league MVP, was named Finals MVP as well, becoming the first player to win both honors in the same year since LeBron James in 2013, per NBA Communications. It’s only the 16th time that’s happened in league history.

With Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren leading the way, the Thunder are poised to contend for years to come.

Contract Talks Ahead for Thunder Stars

The next step? Contract extensions.

Gilgeous-Alexander becomes eligible for a super-max extension next month after meeting performance criteria. He still has two years left on his current deal, but could sign a four-year extension projected at $293.4 million, starting in 2027–28.

Williams and Holmgren will also be rookie extension-eligible through the start of next season. Both are in line for five-year max offers worth up to $246 million, or up to $296 million if All-NBA or MVP incentives are included.

Pacers Face Offseason Questions After Haliburton Injury

The outlook is murkier in Indiana.

Haliburton is signed through 2028, but the team now awaits clarity on the severity of his Achilles injury. Myles Turner is set to enter unrestricted free agency, and while the Pacers are expected to pursue a new deal, there may be competition.

Bennedict Mathurin is rookie extension-eligible. Pascal Siakam, like Haliburton, is under contract through at least 2027–28. The team may have to evaluate whether it wants to retain all its big-money players, or shed salary to regroup around a different timeline.

Offseason Opens, Draft and Free Agency Loom

With the Finals concluded, the NBA offseason is officially underway.

• Teams can begin negotiating with their own free agents starting Monday.

• Players eligible for extensions this summer — such as Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Holmgren — can also begin talks on Monday.

• The NBA Draft will be held Wednesday and Thursday.

• Free agency begins June 30 at 6 p.m. ET, though deals can’t be finalized until the July 6 moratorium ends.