Kevin Durant congratulated the Oklahoma City Thunder on their dramatic Game 7 victory against the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals, expressing his admiration in a social media post on Sunday. The Thunder’s win marked a historic achievement, capturing their first NBA championship since relocating to Oklahoma City.
Durant’s Historic Ties and Impact with the Thunder
Durant began his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder, emerging as a superstar and guiding the team to the NBA Finals in 2012. During his time with the franchise, he earned seven All-Star selections, four scoring titles, and secured the only Most Valuable Player award of his career in 2014. His impressive averages with the Thunder include 27.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, while shooting an efficient 48.3% from the field, 38.0% from three-point range, and 88.2% from the free-throw line. At 36 years old, Durant ranks third on Oklahoma City’s all-time scoring list.
Reflections on Departure and Enduring Legacy
Durant’s tenure with the Thunder ended abruptly when he chose to join the Golden State Warriors in 2016 after the Thunder lost a 3-1 lead against the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. Despite some challenging moments with the fan base and organization during the final years, Durant has reflected on his time with Oklahoma City positively and values the collective accomplishments.
Even though it was rough for me with the fan base and some of the people that worked in the organization for a year or two,
Durant said in a February 2024 interview with Boardroom (h/t Clemente Almanza of OKC Thunder Wire).
When I started to reflect on it, it was special what we did — regardless of championships or not.
Significance of the Thunder’s First Title Since Relocation
The Thunder’s victory has been celebrated widely by fans and former players alike, highlighting a milestone for the franchise. Durant’s recognition of the team’s success acknowledges the resilience and talent displayed throughout the series against the Pacers. This championship could signal a new era for Oklahoma City basketball and raises expectations for future seasons.