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Intro
This timeline highlights key moments and players that helped the Oklahoma City Thunder win their first NBA Championship in franchise history. -
Season Tip-Off and First Win
The Oklahoma City (OKC) Thunder played in their first contest of the 2024-2025 NBA season. They defeated the Denver Nuggets 102-87, with future MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) scoring 28 points. This began a fantastic season for OKC that would see almost five times the number of wins as losses. Photo by Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images -
Thunder Begin 10-Game Win Streak
With a 105-99 victory over the Orlando Magic, this began a 10-game win streak for the OKC Thunder. Over this span, they defeated top NBA teams such as the Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks. This streak would eventually come to an end with a 129-122 defeat by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by NBA.com -
OKC Players Participate in All-Star Game
Like other professional sports leagues, the NBA All-Star game commenced in the middle of the season. SGA was announced as a starter for the All-Star game on January 23, while Thunder forward Jalen Williams was named an All-Star reserve on January 30. SGA played for Chuck's Global Stars, and Williams for Kenny's Young Stars during the NBA All-Star games. These players demonstrate OKC's star power that would eventually lead them to an NBA Championship. Photo by x.com -
OKC Secures No. 1 Overall Seed in NBA Playoffs
Following a Milwaukee Bucks victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on April 9 and a Cleveland Cavaliers loss to the Indiana Pacers on April 10, OKC clinched the best record for the 2024-2025 NBA season. This would be a key advantage for OKC headed into the playoffs, as they would have home-field advantage in every series they played. Photo via X.com/@NBAonTNT -
OKC Completes Sweep of Memphis Grizzlies
After taking a commanding 3-0 series lead against the Memphis Grizzlies, OKC had a chance to close out the series in four games, completing the sweep. They did just that with a nail-biting 117-115 victory. The win sent the Thunder to their second straight Western Conference Semifinals. Photo by Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman -
SGA Scores 35 as OKC Advance
In the first of two game 7s OKC would play in during this postseason, they defeated the Denver Nuggets 125-93 to advance to the Western Conference Finals. OKC was led by SGA, scoring 35 points with four assists and three rebounds. This win helped OKC reach its first Western Conference Finals since 2016, in which they would play the Minnesota Timberwolves. Photo via YouTube/@ESPN -
SGA Wins Most Valuable Player
After averaging 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds in 2024-25, SGA won his first MVP award. He led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 68-14 record while playing in 76 games. He won OKC's first MVP since Russell Westbrook in 2016-17. Photo by nba.com -
OKC Wins Oscar Robertson Trophy
The Oklahoma City Thunder secured the Oscar Robertson Trophy, given to teams that win the Western Conference Finals. OKC defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-94 in Game 5, leading to a 4-1 series victory. This victory helped OKC reach its first NBA Finals since 2016. SGA shined in this contest, scoring 34 points along with eight assists and seven rebounds. With this victory, OKC will go on to face the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals. Photo by William Purnell/Getty Images -
Jalen Williams Scores 40 Points in Historic NBA Finals Game
With the NBA Finals tied at 2-2, Game 5 would be a key in shaping the ending of this series. In Game 5, All-Star Jalen Williams would go off for 40 points, four assists, and six rebounds in a 120-109 OKC victory. This would give OKC a 3-2 series lead, putting them one game away from an NBA Championship. This historic NBA Finals performance is just the eighth 40-point NBA Finals game since 2020. Photo via YouTube/@NBA -
Oklahoma City Rejoice as Thunder Win First NBA Championship
In an NBA Finals between two franchises looking for their first championship, this was one of the most anticipated Game 7s in NBA History. Sadly, Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton ruptured his achilles, sidelining him for the rest of Game 7. Despite that, OKC would cruise to a 103-91 victory, sending the Oklahoma City crowd into a frenzy. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would take home Finals MVP, averaging 30.3 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game. Photo by Nate Billings - AP