Shai is way better than Haliburton-less shy Pacers: OKC win the NBA title!

The Oklahoma City Thunder are the new NBA champions after defeating the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of last night's NBA finals.

The Thunder won their first-ever title since it moved to Oklahoma City from Seattle in 2008 and rebranded from the SuperSonics to the Thunder with a 103-91 victory on Sunday.

Interestingly, the game's decisive moment happened early on as the Pacers' star Tyrese Haliburton had to leave the pitch in the first quarter due to a devastating Achilles injury.

Haliburton, who had been playing with a strained right calf since Game 5, fell without contact as he attempted to dribble past Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who emerged as a hero. Gilgeous-Alexander, the 26-year-old Canadian, scored 29 points, added 12 assists in the series-clinching win, and was unanimously named finals MVP.

He is the first player in 25 years to win regular-season MVP, the scoring crown and finals MVP in the same season.

"Feels amazing - so much weight off my shoulders," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "I am just glad and happy that every one of my dreams came true."

Jalen Williams added 20 points and two steals for the Thunder and Chet Holmgren contributed 18 points, eight boards and five blocks. Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace each contributed 10 points and three steals off Oklahoma City's bench.

The Thunder led 18-16 at the time of Haliburton's excruciating injury, while the Pacers went into halftime with a 48-47 advantage.

The third quarter, however, proved to be decisive as it ended in a 84-68 advantage for the hosts, from which the Pacers just couldn't return.

NBA FINALS

Oklahoma City Thunder - Indiana Pacers 103-91

/Gilgeous-Alexander 29 - Mathurin 24/