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Thunder Champions! OKC makes history at home and wins its first ring

Oklahoma City was decked out for a party, and with good reason. The Thunder became NBA champions for the first time since arriving in the city, after defeating the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in a seventh game that had it all: excitement, drama, individual performances... and an injury that left everyone with a heavy heart.

The Paycom Center roared like never before, and Mark Daigneault's team responded to the cheers with a solid performance, especially in the second half, when they brought out their best to close out the series in style. But the start was not as easy as the final score might suggest.

Indiana, led by an electric Tyrese Haliburton, came out firing on all cylinders. The point guard scored three three-pointers in the opening minutes, and it looked like it was going to be an uphill battle for the home team. However, the story took an unexpected turn when Haliburton was injured in a non-contact play. He fell to the floor clutching his right Achilles tendon, and silence fell over the arena. It was a blow to the Pacers and a complete change in the script of the game.

Despite the emotional blow, the visitors showed character and stayed in the fight throughout the first half. They even went into the break with a narrow lead (48-47) thanks to the good work of Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard. But that was their last gasp.

The second half was an Oklahoma festival. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander managing the tempo like a seasoned veteran, the Thunder slowly wore down Indiana's resistance. SGA finished with 29 points and 12 assists, clearly the MVP of the Finals, but he was not alone.

Jalen Williams added 20 points, and Chet Holmgren was a nightmare for the Pacers on defence: 18 points, five blocks (a record in a seventh Finals game) and a dominant presence in the paint that left the Indianapolis team out of ideas.

The third quarter was the turning point. OKC adjusted at the back, ran more freely and nailed a flurry of three-pointers that left their opponents reeling. In that stretch, the Thunder went from losing by five to leading by nine (81-68) and never relinquished control of the game. Indiana, without their star player, without legs and without solutions, ended up deflated.

In the final quarter, the party was in full swing. The scoreboard showed a 21-point difference after bombs from SGA and Williams. Mathurin tried to make up for the defeat with his 24 points and 13 rebounds, but it was too late. The Thunder left no room for miracles.

Thus, Oklahoma ended its dream season with a well-deserved title and an ovation that was heard all the way to Seattle, the city that saw the birth of this franchise before its move. For many, it was only a matter of time before this young core exploded. Today, that explosion turned into a championship.

This ring marks a turning point for OKC, which had been slowly building this project for years. And looking at what they have — youth, talent, hunger — everything points to this team just beginning its era.

The NBA has a new king. And he wears blue.