Nba, Oklahoma City Thunder champions! Shai Mvp, Indiana loses Haliburton and collapses in game-7

The Larry O'Brien Trophy was finally lifted by the Thunder, who closed out a game 7 in which a bit of everything happened: a success that rewarded a young and incredibly talented group, perhaps capable of becoming a dynasty in the years to come. Oklahoma City, after a timid first half, changed gear in the second half, relying on the plays of a super Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who also took home the MVP award, and won 103-91, giving a city that lives for its Thunder, the first NBA title in its history. But game 7 will also be remembered for the very unfortunate injury to Haliburton, who with 4'55'' left in the first quarter suffered a lesion to the Achilles tendon in his right leg. A devastating epilogue for the Pacers' leader that forced him to a very long layoff. Indiana once again against everything and everyone, even without Haliburton tries to upset the plans of OKC but in the second half as the minutes go by they lose contact with the Thunder and have to raise the white flag. So many regrets for a team that no one really, at the beginning of the postseason, would have ever thought could play for the NBA title in game 7 against Oklahoma City.

The atmosphere at the Paycom Center is like a bullfight. The home fans are over the top and there are even a few more yellow jerseys than expected in the blue sea of ​​OKC fans. The Thunder know they have a lot of pressure on their shoulders and start incredibly tense. Only Shai seems at ease, Indiana, on the other hand, plays with a clear mind and Haliburton's threes do nothing but increase the guests' confidence. Caruso's good impact from the bench isn't enough but shortly after the halfway point of the first quarter the unthinkable happens. Haliburton accelerates on the perimeter and loses his pace, ending up on the parquet without having been touched. The screams of the Indiana phenomenon and the dynamics of the injury leave no room for doubt: Achilles tendon injury. Terrible diagnosis. Indiana reacts with its usual courage to the knockout blow dealt to them by fate and with Siakam's baskets and Nembhard's points it remains clinging to Oklahoma City which, on the other hand, cannot shake off the tension. Nembhard's triple at the end of the first half even allowed the guests to go into the locker room with a 48-47 lead after shooting 8/16 from long range against the Thunder's 4/18.

The team that won 68 games during the regular season changes pace at the start of the second half. The defense returns to being super aggressive, turnovers for the Pacers are pouring in and things improve significantly on offense. Gilgeous-Alexander leads the charge with a 9-0 partial with a nice three-pointer and two cinematic assists, but Indiana responds with the usual McConnell. Once again, in these Finals, the third quarter becomes the TJ Show with the Pacers' reserve giving the OKC defense a headache with his energy. McConnell scores 12 consecutive points but on the other side the three-pointers start to come in for the home team and Jalen Williams becomes confident with the basket. Shai does the rest and the Thunder run away, closing an excellent third quarter with a 13-point lead. Even sensational comebacks are the Pacers' specialty, but without Haliburton's contribution, the mountain to climb becomes a Tourmalet, Oklahoma City then raises the defensive intensity and doesn't concede anything anymore. Indiana doesn't put any points on the scoresheet in the first 4'30'' of the fourth quarter and the Thunder escape to what seems like a +22 with no return. The Pacers never die, however, and try to scare the cheering home crowd by responding with an unexpected 11-1. Indy gets to -10 with a triple by Nembhard with 2'32'' to go, but a great dunk by Holmgren puts things right. Oklahoma City thus remains at a safe distance, then collecting a standing ovation from the very hot Paycom Center crowd in the final seconds. A truly intriguing series full of twists and turns goes into the trophy cabinet with the Thunder raising the Larry O'Brien Trophy in front of their fans.

Oklahoma City : Gilgeous-Alexander 29 (6/15, 2/12, 11/12 tl), Jal. Williams, Holmgren 18. Rebounds: Hartenstein 9. Assists: Gilgeous-Alexander 12.

Indiana : Mathurin 24 (4/9, 2/5, 10/10 TL), Siakam, McConnell 16. Rebounds: Mathurin 13. Assists: Nembhard 6.