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OKC Thunder captures first NBA title in electrifying Game 7
B:, Sports
June 26, 2025
OKC Thunder captures first NBA title in electrifying Game 7
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR

The drought is over. The Oklahoma City Thunder are NBA champions.

With a deafening home crowd roaring behind them, the Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers 103-91 Sunday night in Game 7, clinching the franchise’s first NBA title since relocating from Seattle in 2008—and the city’s first major professional sports championship.

Once again, the Thunder leaned on the poise and firepower of their young core. Reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 29 points and delivered 12 assists, while Jalen Williams added 20 points and Chet Holmgren delivered 18 points, eight boards and a towering defensive presence. Thunder fans, stamping in unison with every big play, watched history unfold inside a roaring Paycom Center.

Indiana landed the first blow behind All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who sank three early three-pointers. But heartbreak followed: midway through the first quarter, Haliburton crumpled on a drive without contact, slapping the hardwood in visible pain. He was ruled out with a lower leg injury, and the Pacers never fully recovered.

Still, Indiana scrapped. TJ McConnell logged 16 points and six assists off the bench, but fatigue and seven costly turnovers haunted him in extended minutes. The first half featured 11 lead changes and nine ties, with the Pacers leading by one at the break.

Then came the avalanche.

The Thunder unleashed a third-quarter blitz, outscoring Indiana 34-20 as Gilgeous- Alexander, Holmgren, and Williams buried backto- back-to-back threes in a 9-0 run that broke a 56-56 tie. Veteran Alex Caruso added his signature grit and spacing, knocking down early threes and helping to stretch the floor for OKC’s young stars.

By the start of the fourth, the Thunder led 81-68—and they weren’t letting go. Indiana made one last push behind Bennedict Mathurin, slicing the lead to 12 with under five minutes to play. But Gilgeous-Alexander answered with free throws after drawing a crucial foul, extending the lead to 14. A missed layup from McConnell over Holmgren’s long reach sealed the deal.

When the final horn sounded, blue and orange confetti rained down, and a generation of OKC fans erupted in joy. Gilgeous-Alexander, whose brilliance carried the Thunder all season, was named Finals MVP, capping a dazzling campaign for the 26-year-old Canadian star.

From near the bottom to the mountaintop, the Thunder’s rebuild has reached its triumphant climax. And Oklahoma City? It’s a championship city at last.

Lefties making things right
A: Main, News...
Lefties making things right
By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER 
August 14, 2025
If today’s paper looks a little backward, that’s the point. We’re flipping things around in honor of International Left-Handers Day, a moment for all the lefties out there to enjoy the upper hand. Eve...
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A: Main, News...
Left is Right
August 14, 2025
If this week’s backward paper seems to be coming out of left field, you’re probably right. In honor of International Left-Handers Day being celebrated worldwide, this week, this edition of The McIntos...
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National Night Out event puts on a show
A: Main, News...
National Night Out event puts on a show
August 14, 2025
The public met first responders at the annual National Night Out event, held Tuesday, Aug. 5 in downtown Eufaula. There were police, firefighters, sheriff ’s deputies, department of wildlife officers;...
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FAIC receives significant grant for new gear
A: Main, News...
FAIC receives significant grant for new gear
August 14, 2025
FAIC was recently awarded a grant for 15 sets of structure gear, 15 sets of dual certi wildland/extrication gear, helmets, nomex hoods, boots (structure and wildland) and gloves for a total of $82,485...
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Wildcat Welcome kicks off school year
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Wildcat Welcome kicks off school year
August 14, 2025
Wildcat Welcome kicked off Checotah Schools new school year on Tuesday, Aug. 5 at Ogle Field. It is completely planned and organized by Checotah’s 21st CCLC After School programs. The entire track and...
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Testing yourself for left-handedness
News
Testing yourself for left-handedness
August 14, 2025
We all, of course, know in which hand we hold a pen, but how far does this bias extend throughout your body? Are you left-eared? Lefteyed? Here is a simple test you can apply to yourself. 1. Imagine t...
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Famous left-handers
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Famous left-handers
August 14, 2025
Jason Alexander, actor Tim Allen, actor Duane Allman, guitarist Earl Anthony, bowler Nate Archibald, NBA player Aristotle, Greek philosopher Neil Armstrong, astronaut Dan Aykroyd, actor Cardi B, singe...
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What’s involved in producing a left-handed newspaper?
August 14, 2025
As you’ve already noticed, after thinking that there must have been some printing error with this edition of the Eufaula Indian Journal, this is a left-handed paper and was printed opposite of what yo...
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McIntosh County Free Fair Friday/Saturday
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McIntosh County Free Fair Friday/Saturday
August 14, 2025
The annual McIntosh County Free Fair, hosted by the OSU Extension Center, will be held Friday, Aug. 15 and Saturday, Aug. 16 at the county fairgrounds in Eufaula. Exhibits will be on display Friday fr...
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Being a ‘Leftie’
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Being a ‘Leftie’
August 14, 2025
Overall 40 percent of us are left-eared, 30 percent are left-eyed and 20 percent are left-footed, but only 10 percent of us are left-handed. I have the privilege of being all of these, so I’m an extre...
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Drummond fights against federal overreach
August 14, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Gentner Drummond is fighting to protect Oklahoma’s right to secure its communities through immigration law enforcement. He and a coalition of 22 attorneys general are ...
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