After their impressive season, the Oklahoma City Thunder entered the NBA Finals as favorites against the Indiana Pacers. However, they failed to close out the series in six games, which forced a decisive Game 7. In the aftermath, Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green explained why the Thunder need to win the 2025 NBA championship.
āWhen you get the opportunity to win a championship, if you win it, you give yourself the opportunity to win more. But if you lose it, now you start tweaking stuff and those tweaks could put you further away than you were,ā Draymond Green explained in his podcast.
His analysis did not end there, as Green broke down the series, making it clear that the Pacers have an advantage over the Thunder: āThey (Oklahoma City Thunder) were supposed to win. The pressure is all on them. Indiana is coming out with a free swing and they are coming out playing loose like āwe got nothing to lose, we were never supposed to be here in the first place.ā I want to see what OKC is going to do because if they donāt win this championship, they may never win the championship,ā he said.
Draymond Greenās recent comments have taken Thunder fans by surprise, especially considering the youthfulness of the team. The oldest player on the roster is 30-year-old Alex Caruso, while the teamās prominent stars include 26-year-old Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and 23-year-old Jalen Williams. This youthful core has led fans to believe in a long-term project that seems secure for the foreseeable future.
Aaron Wiggins and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander react on the bench against the Minnesota Timberwolves during Game Five of the Western Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on May 28, 2025.
However, contractual dynamics could significantly influence the Thunderās roster trajectory. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren currently play under rookie contracts, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may be eligible for a supermax extension in 2026, as reported by CBS Sports. If the Thunder fail to maintain competitiveness or secure championship titles, the team might face tough decisions regarding player retention.
see also
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers makes bold prediction on Thunderās future
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander breaks down what Thunder must do to win Game 7 vs. Pacers
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has delivered impressive performances during the NBA Finals, consistently showcasing his talent. Nevertheless, he could not guide his team to victory in Game 6, despite scoring a game-high 21 points. Responding to fansā disappointment, Shai addressed the teamās strategy for Game 7, emphasizing the crucial adjustments they need to secure a victory and avoid another defeat.
āI try to look at it as a blessing and an opportunityā¦ Then, go out there and try to be the best version of myself. I think thatās what we need to do, what we have to do, across the board. Donāt try to do anything spectacular. Donāt try to do anything that you havenāt done before or be less of what youāve been. Just be who you are and what got you here,ā Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said.
