NBA Finals: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Guides Oklahoma City Thunder in Glory
The Pacer lost the Tyrese key player Haliburton due to a leg injury just seven minutes after the race when he slipped and fell while led to the basket, but he still kept a close advantage of 48-47 in half time.
However, the Thunder, which with an average age of 25.6 is the youngest side to win a final NBA title from the Portland Trail blazer in 1977, waged them 34-20 in the third quarter and pushed the advantage to 22 points (90-68) in the fourth.
“It doesn’t seem real, so many hours, so many moments, so many emotions, so many nights of disbelief,” said Gilgeous-Alexander.
“It is crazy to know that we are all here. But this group worked for this, this group put in the hours and we deserved this.”
“Our whole inside and off the pitch, as we had fun, made it much easier. He made it seemed that we were only children who played basketball. It was so fun.
“We have a lot to grow, individually and as a group. I am enthusiastic about the future of this team. This is an excellent start. I am really enthusiastic about this team.”