The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder are NBA champions after pulling off a Recreation 7 win over the Indiana Pacers to finish an unforgettable Finals collection. However amid the heartbreak and chaos of the evening, an emotional second involving Pacers guard T.J. McConnell and his mom, stole the highlight for a quick, highly effective second.
T.J. McConnell Shares Heartfelt Second With Mom After Loss
Amidst the Thunder’s celebration, the dropping staff was stuffed with intense feelings. A digicam captured a second that spelled the heartbreak between Pacers guard T.J. McConnell and his mom, as they embraced close to the tunnel after the ultimate buzzer.
As a broadcast digicam zoomed in to doc the trade, McConnell’s mom turned and sternly requested that the cameraman cease filming, as her son grappled with the staff’s crushing defeat.
McConnell was Indiana’s lone supply of offense for a major stretch in the course of the second half. From the 8:32 mark within the third quarter to 7:29 within the fourth, he accounted for all 12 of the staff’s factors.
TJ McConnell’s mother advised the cameraman to cease recording 😔
(h/t @MrBuckBuckNBA)pic.twitter.com/BlXzlOqrWj
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 23, 2025
Regardless of the Thunder deploying Alex Caruso to sluggish him down, McConnell’s relentless drives and mid-range finishes saved Indiana afloat till the Thunder lastly utilized full-court traps that stalled the Pacers’ offense.
Tyrese Haliburton’s Damage Derailed Pacers’ Finals Run
Indiana’s title hopes took a serious hit late within the first quarter when Tyrese Haliburton fell to the court docket, clutching the identical leg that had bothered him all through the postseason. The early prognosis, confirmed by his father in the course of the ESPN broadcast, was an Achilles tendon harm.
Haliburton had began sturdy, scoring 9 factors within the opening body and looking out like his traditional floor-general self. However the harm left the Pacers scrambling. McConnell shouldered the burden admirably, ending with 16 factors, six rebounds, and three assists, however the staff’s offense crumbled underneath OKC’s relentless stress.
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The Thunder’s depth and defensive depth started to put on down Indiana, which dedicated eight turnovers and missed ten photographs in an important 13-minute span throughout the third and fourth quarters. Oklahoma Metropolis’s Jalen Williams poured in 20 factors whereas Lu Dort added priceless contributions on each ends to assist seal the deal.
The Pacers’ playoff journey, which started as a No. 4 seed within the East, had been outlined by unbelievable comebacks and Haliburton heroics. However Recreation 7 proved a bridge too far with out their star.
Haliburton on crutches greeting his teammates after the sport 💔 pic.twitter.com/J2PXBHdTTp
— NBACentel (@TheNBACentel) June 23, 2025
Nonetheless, the staff’s resilience was evident as they reduce a 22-point deficit to 10 within the closing quarter. Finally, the Thunder had an excessive amount of firepower and historical past on their aspect. With the win, Oklahoma Metropolis not solely secured its first NBA title however delivered town its first main skilled sports activities championship.
