Joel Lorenzi

6 days ago | oklahoman.com | Joe Mussatto |Jenni Carlson |Joel Lorenzi |Justin Martinez

There have been 19 Game 7s in NBA Finals history. The 20th will come Sunday night in Oklahoma City. Not since 2016 has there been a Game 7 in the NBA Finals. The encouraging news for OKC: Home teams are 15-4 in these situations. Ahead of the final Thunder-Pacers clash, we look at both teams’ path to victory and which we think will prevail. How does the Thunder win Game 7? Joel Lorenzi: Playing to the cliché symphony here, but OKC has to lean into its identity.

1 week ago | oklahoman.com | Joel Lorenzi

• The Oklahoma City Thunder lost Game 6 of the NBA Finals to the Indiana Pacers 108-91, tying the series 3-3. • The Pacers' strong performance was a team effort, with contributions from Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, Obi Toppin, and T.J. McConnell. INDIANAPOLIS — Half-drank Gatorades and hardly-sipped protein shakes were sprawled across the carpet where the champagne stains would’ve been setting in. Glazed eyes and long stares could not be hidden by protective, celebratory goggles.

1 week ago | oklahoman.com | Joel Lorenzi

• The Indiana Pacers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-91 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, forcing a Game 7. • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 21 points but also committed eight turnovers for the Thunder. • Tyrese Haliburton played through injury for the Pacers, contributing 14 points and five assists. INDIANAPOLIS — Place the champagne back in its boxes. Those drinks weren’t distributed or popped on Thursday night, nor did they have a rightful owner anymore.

1 week ago | oklahoman.com | Joel Lorenzi |Justin Martinez |Jeff Patterson |Joe Mussatto

It's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder against Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the NBA Finals Thursday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. OKC can capture its first NBA title with a win in this best-of-seven series. Haliburton is dealing with the calf issue, but the Pacers guard is expected to try to play through the injury.

1 week ago | oklahoman.com | Joel Lorenzi

INDIANAPOLIS — Curse words are tantalizing to the adolescent ear. Only one seemed off-limits inside the youthful walls of the Thunder’s facilities this season. Championship, and the frequent use of all of its synonyms — title, ring, Larry O.B. — almost seemed taboo, prompting cupped hands over shrinking ears. La, La, La, La. Those words wouldn’t be very zero-and-zero of Oklahoma City, grounded in its daily work and incremental improvements. Working toward tomorrow, not June.