including the symbolic moment the parade passed the gates of the OKC National Memorial—were seen across the country, serving as a powerful reminder of where the city has been and how far it’s come. As the media coverage surged, the story moved beyond basketball. Headlines praised not just the Thunder’s run but the heart of the community and the energy of the fanbase. A city once associated with tragedy was now being celebrated for resilience, loyalty and growth. Mayor David Holt said the festivities will “forever live in the annals of our city’s history.” He shared the championship win marked both the team’s historic achievement and a defining moment for the city, emphasizing the real story behind it all: OKC has arrived, and people are paying attention. Photos from the parade landed on Yahoo Sports, CBS, ESPN and AP News. Social media flooded with clips of fans cheering in unison, players giving heartfelt speeches and chants echoing downtown. Inside the arena and across the city, the title run was deeply personal. “A lot of the world doesn’t see it, but everybody in this arena, in this city that has been with me for the last six years—they were chanting MVP when I was averaging 19 points on a 20-win team,” said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 2024-25 NBA MVP. “They understand. They know exactly what it takes and what it looks like, and without them, we are not this. We do everything together. We win because we have each other. We lose because of each other. Now, we won an NBA championship together.” Forward Aaron Wiggins, who entered the league as the 55th pick during a rebuilding phase, said the city’s support never wavered. “My rookie season, we won 24 games,” he said. “But the best part about coming from that year is that the same people in this arena today celebrating this championship were the same people there when we were winning 24 games. They tried to call us the black hole of the NBA, but four years later... they have to mention you as NBA champions.” Teammates echoed a message of family and resilience. Jaylin Williams described the roster as “a family first,” while veterans like Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein credited fans for energizing the team throughout the season.
For those in OKC, the impact is a reflection of the city’s growth, its sense of identity and the strength of a community that has backed its team from the beginning. The Thunder’s championship season is more than a title; it’s a signal to the rest of the country: OKC isn’t just growing—it’s being seen. Thunder’s Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti echoed this message in his year-end news conference. “I don’t agree with the fact that this is an underdog state in any way,” Presti said. “The thing to note here, in my opinion, is that there’s really nothing missing in Oklahoma. There’s nothing missing here. We didn’t need a trophy to validate anything whatsoever. If you look closely at all the things that make this place unique and special, the things that really matter, we’re not short on any of those things. In fact, we’re long on all of them.” For longtime residents and local businesses, the championship is a confirmation. OKC is no longer a city with potential—it’s a city with presence. The Thunder’s victory has given the world a reason to look, but OKC’s story has always been worth seeing. And now, everyone is watching.
Photo Credit: Jimmy Do
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