OKC Thunder fans celebrate historic NBA Finals win over Pacers across metro
With just eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Thunder had opened a 21-point lead, and fans knew what that probably meant. The chants that were just loud became non-stop when a big defensive move was made or the Thunder scored a 3-pointer. Friends, family or even people who had met hours ago in the bar looked at each other in disbelief, pride and joy.
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The Oklahoma City Thunder was minutes away from winning its first-ever NBA championship with a 103-91 victory over the Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
Even when the television systems temporarily went down at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill, the community stayed together, watching the game through each other's phones.
'Come on, come on,' fans said, holding onto each other.
Carlson: OKC Thunder finally reaches summit of mountain with NBA championship over Pacers
Outside the Paycom Center, a younger crowd ran to the OKC Tap House, one of the seven official watch zones in the city. Three hours before tipoff, the venue already had a three-hour waitlist with no guaranteed seating.
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But when the buzzer beat around 9:50 p.m., everyone was there. From the second floor of the bar, fans stood in the balcony cheering with those on the street. Guests at the Omni Hotel could be seen standing by their windows, watching the celebrations.
Years of support came to fruition as the young Thunder team became the first to win an NBA Finals Game 7 by double digits since the Celtics in 1974.
'I'm so excited,' Thunder fan Ashley Wright said. 'I've never gotten to be a part of any kind of Finals or anything like that. To be here with a team that I followed from the beginning is just amazing.'
Pacers fans were the first to exit the building, and they weren't greeted with much love or respect.
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While some were able to sway from the large crowd, some got stuck in the middle of insults and laughs from Thunder fans. And that reception wasn't just outside the arena. Heading up the street, cars made sure to pull their windows down to record and flip off anyone wearing those yellow shirts.
As the Pacers crew cleared out the area, more Thunder fans walked over to the arena. With fireworks in the sky, they took in the historical event they had just witnessed.
The night, or the week, was just beginning for passionate Thunder fans, who will be celebrating this for a good time.
Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder fans celebrate historic 2025 NBA championship across OKC metro
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