Takeaways from NBA Finals Game 7: SGA, Thunder reach the mountaintop

The Thunder found their stroke just in time

After an 8-for-30 performance in Game 6, Oklahoma City was ice cold from three-point land in the first half on Sunday night, going 4-for-18. However, midway through the third quarter the Thunder finally found their stroke from deep. Three straight treys pushed OKC's lead to nine with 7:16 remaining in the quarter as Indiana would never truly threaten again.

The Thunder finished 11-for-40 from deep, but it, along with their defense, was enough to pull away from Indiana. For the series, Indiana made 89 three-pointers compared to OKC's 71.

The Thunder doubled down on defense

It was a theme throughout almost the entire series. The Pacers simply couldn't take care of the ball. Oklahoma City's length bothered them mightily and the Thunder ratcheted up the pressure in the second half.

The Thunder forced four turnovers in the third quarter, which swung the momentum in their favor for good. In the fourth, defense was the catalyst for a 12-0 run that featured a pair of blocks and another forced turnover.

In all, OKC forced 21 turnovers for a total of 120 in the series. They added eight blocks for a total of 41. The Thunder boasted the league's best defense and showed it off in Game 7.

Tyrese Haliburton's heartbreaking injury was too much for Indiana to overcome

There's a significant risk that comes with playing hurt. For Haliburton, the risk became an unfortunate reality midway through the first quarter. He toughed out Game 6 with a strained right calf, but he left Game 7 with a "right lower leg injury," which his father later confirmed to ESPN's Lisa Salters as an Achilles injury.

It was heartbreaking to watch him visibly in pain and upset as the entire Pacers team gathered around him while he was being attended to. He was playing well to that point, hitting a trio of three-pointers in his seven minutes of play.

With the series over, Indiana's attention now shifts to his recovery.

Are the Thunder just getting started?

As confetti fell at the Paycom Center, it is a fair question to ask if a new dynasty is beginning. Fans are so eager to crown a team — often prematurely — but with an average age of just 25.6 years old, it does seem like the Thunder could return to the top.

SGA is the centerpiece and signed through 2026-27, while Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams are finishing up rookie deals. It's not easy to win as OKC found out this season, but the pieces are there for the NBA's next dynasty.