Oklahoma City Thunder Win NBA Finals, Tyrese Haliburton Suffers Season-Ending Injury

The Oklahoma City Thunder secured their first NBA Championship since moving to Oklahoma City in 2008 with a 103-91 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. The Pacers' star guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered a devastating Achilles injury early in the game, potentially sidelining him for the entire 2025-26 season, which severely impacted Indiana's chances. Despite the injury, veteran reserve guard T.J. McConnell stepped up, scoring 16 points and playing a crucial role to keep the Pacers competitive, earning praise and emotional support from Pacers legend Reggie Miller. Miller expressed deep pride in the Pacers' grit and unity throughout their playoff run, while also conveying heartbreak over Haliburton's injury and the team's loss. The Pacers reached the Finals for the first time since 2000, reviving memories of Miller's era, but the Thunder's strong performance, led by Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, proved too much. The postgame emotional embrace between McConnell and Miller symbolized the passing of leadership and the enduring spirit of Indiana basketball despite the heartbreaking defeat.