Latest news with #LarryO'BrienChampionshipTrophy
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
NBA: Thunder parade championship trophy through OKC
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carries the Larry O'Brien trophy as he celebrates with fans as the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate their first NBA Finals title win with a champions parade throughout downtown Oklahoma City on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Terry/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images/REUTERS A shirtless Shai Gilgeous-Alexander toted the NBA Finals MVP trophy behind a parade float Tuesday, raising his left hand to the beat of chants of "MVP, MVP" from the crowd as Oklahoma City turned out in temperatures approaching triple-digits to celebrate the Thunder's first championship. Alexander, who began the day in a white tank with his Canadian flag shirt tied around his waist, carried the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy to the barricade so fans could touch the hardware. Accounting for humidity, the heat index at the peak of the parade was 101 degrees according to AccuWeather. Thick air didn't slow down the party for the Thunder or thousands of fans assembled for a celebration that started in Midtown on Tuesday morning. Defensive stopper Lu Dort and 7-footer Chet Holmgren showered attendees with champagne, first from the second level of the team's double-decker bus and later from the top of a golf cart. "It's very hot out here, so I'm going to keep this short and sweet," Jalen Williams said. "Without this, none of this is possible without you guys. You guys have been through the ups and downs of the Thunder organization. We appreciate you guys. We love you guys." Isaiah Hartenstein said he hadn't slept for 36 hours, unlike his young son, who was fast asleep in his father's arms in the immediate aftermath of the team's Game 7 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. "It's amazing. To experience it with the family, with the community, it's been really special," Hartenstein said. The celebration included a stage for the closing ceremony at Scissortail Park. Thunder fans packed close to the stage and again Gilgeous-Alexander entered the crowd, bringing the trophy through throngs of supporters for pictures and an up-close opportunity with the NBA's championship prize. Aaron Wiggins ignited the crowd with a brief speech that touched on humble beginnings as the 55th pick to a franchise that won 24 games during his rookie season. "There was a point where they tried to call us the black hole of the NBA," Wiggins said. "But four years later, when they mention the Thunder organization when they mention (owner) Clay Bennett, (general manager) Sam Presti, (head coach) Mark Daigneault and every single one of you in this arena, they've got to mention you as NBA champs. And that's it!" --Field Level Media/Reuters
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Korea Herald
Oklahoma City celebrates NBA title
OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) -- A shirtless Shai Gilgeous-Alexander toted the NBA Finals MVP trophy behind a parade float Tuesday, raising his left hand to the beat of chants of "MVP, MVP" from the crowd as Oklahoma City turned out in temperatures approaching triple-digits to celebrate the Thunder's first championship. Alexander, who began the day in a white tank with his Canadian flag shirt tied around his waist, carried the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy to the barricade so fans could touch the hardware. Accounting for humidity, the heat index at the peak of the parade was 101 degrees according to AccuWeather. Thick air didn't slow down the party for the Thunder or thousands of fans assembled for a celebration that started in Midtown on Tuesday morning. Defensive stopper Lu Dort and 210-centimeter Chet Holmgren showered attendees with champagne, first from the second level of the team's double-decker bus and later from the top of a golf cart. "It's very hot out here, so I'm going to keep this short and sweet," Jalen Williams said. "Without this, none of this is possible without you guys. You guys have been through the ups and downs of the Thunder organization. We appreciate you guys. We love you guys." Isaiah Hartenstein said he hadn't slept for 36 hours, unlike his young son, who was fast asleep in his father's arms in the immediate aftermath of the team's Game 7 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. "It's amazing. To experience it with the family, with the community, it's been really special," Hartenstein said. The celebration included a stage for the closing ceremony at Scissortail Park. Thunder fans packed close to the stage and again Gilgeous-Alexander entered the crowd, bringing the trophy through throngs of supporters for pictures and an up-close opportunity with the NBA's championship prize. Aaron Wiggins ignited the crowd with a brief speech that touched on humble beginnings as the 55th pick to a franchise that won 24 games during his rookie season. "There was a point where they tried to call us the black hole of the NBA," Wiggins said. "But four years later, when they mention the Thunder organization when they mention (owner) Clay Bennett, (general manager) Sam Presti, (head coach) Mark Daigneault and every single one of you in this arena, they've got to mention you as NBA champs. And that's it!"
4 days ago
- Sport
Oklahoma City Thunder players, fans celebrate NBA title with parade
Oklahoma City turned out Tuesday to celebrate the hometown Thunder's first NBA title. The celebration began inside the Paycom Center, where Thunder players and fans gathered for the Champions Opening Ceremony. In addition to the players, the star of the opening ceremony was the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, which the Thunder earned Sunday night with a 103-91 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. From the opening ceremony, the championship celebration continued with a parade through downtown Oklahoma City. Thunder players including Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and All-Star Jalen Williams rode in open-top buses as thousands of fans cheered them on. Oklahoma City has waited since 2008 -- the year the Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City -- for their first-ever NBA title. Gilgeous-Alexander said Monday on "Good Morning America" that winning the championship was "everything" he imagined it would be. "The opportunity has been amazing and I'm happy and blessed to be a part of it," said Gilgeous-Alexander, who became the fourth player in NBA history to win MVP and top scorer titles during the regular season and MVP of the NBA Finals. "It's hard for me to even wrap my head around, but it just goes to show that when you work hard, when you focus on the right things, when you take care of the right things and you stick with that program for a certain amount of time, you can achieve anything," he added. "And most importantly, when you dream and go after it, that anything is possible."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
What is the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy? What to know about NBA Finals prize
The latest NBA champion could be crowned on Thursday night following the NBA Finals. The Oklahoma City Thunder currently holds a 3-2 series lead over the Indiana Pacers, and Game 6 is Thursday in Indianapolis (ABC). The Thunder is looking to secure its first NBA championship in franchise history. Advertisement With the game set to tip off, the question remains: Who will hoist the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy? Here's more information on the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy. NBA Finals Game 6 live updates: Thunder vs Pacers score prediction, where to watch, TV Who is the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy named after? The trophy was first awarded in the 1977 season and was originally named after longtime Celtics owner Walter A. Brown. In 1984, it was renamed the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy to honor former commissioner Larry O'Brien, who led the league from 1975 to 1984. O'Brien served as the United States Postmaster General under President Lyndon B. Johnson before his time working in the NBA. Advertisement CARLSON: OKC's NBA journey has been unlikely. What could be more improbable than a title? How big is the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy and how is it made? The Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy is handcrafted by Tiffany & Co. at its hollowware workshop in Cumberland, Rhode Island. The creation process involves gold and silversmithing techniques — including engraving, casting and etching — and takes over six months to complete. Each trophy requires approximately 65 hours of labor and has a regulation-size basketball connected to its base. Made of sterling silver and finished with 14-karat gold vermeil accents, the newly redesigned trophy stands 25.5 inches in height and weighs 29 pounds. It also features a two-tier cylindrical base engraved with the names of all past champions, with additional space reserved for the next 25 years of title winners. Advertisement More: Former Thunder forward Isaiah Roby grew up with OKC, now he's watching NBA Finals in awe Jordan Davis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jordan? He can be reached at jdavis@ or on X/Twitter at @thejordancdavis. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Jordan's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: What is Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy? What to know for NBA Finals
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Ratings surge for NBA Finals Game 7 after early slump
Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; The Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate after winning game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images REUTERS Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) passes the ball againstIndiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) during game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images REUTERS Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) attempts a shot against the Indiana Pacers during game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images REUTERS Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) with head coach Mark Daigneault after winning game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images REUTERS Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; The Oklahoma City Thunder lift the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy as they celebrate after winning game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images REUTERS Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; The Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate after winning game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images REUTERS NEW YORK - Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers averaged 16.4 million viewers on Sunday, making it the most-watched Finals game in six years, the league said on Monday. The Thunder beat the Pacers 103-91 to clinch the title in a physical affair that unravelled for Indiana in the second half after point guard Tyrese Haliburton left with an Achilles injury early in the game. The viewership was welcome news for the NBA after the clash of two small-market teams yielded disappointing ratings early in the best-of-seven series. The Game 1 opener averaged 8.91 million viewers on ABC, according to Sports Media Watch, the lowest viewership for the Finals opener in the Nielsen era, outside of the two COVID-affected seasons. The series that was short on starpower ended with the Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander capping one of the best individual seasons in NBA history. The 26-year-old became only the fourth player - and the first since Shaquille O'Neal in 2000 - to earn the scoring title as well as league and Finals MVP honours in the same season. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
