The Oklahoma City Thunder has officially reclaimed its place in basketball lore. On June 22, 2025, the Thunder captured their first NBA championship since relocating from Seattle in 2008. They drowned the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in a raucous Game 7 at Paycom Center.
The city erupted as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Finals MVP) etched his legacy with 29 points and 12 assists. Meanwhile, a biblically young OKC squad of Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, and Dillon Jones, among others, left fans and reporters in stitches with their locker room celebration struggle.
Amid the confetti and cheers, an endearingly awkward moment stole the spotlight in the locker room. As champagne bottles were passed around, the young Thunder roster fumbled with corks and flutes, spraying more cologne-style spritzes than celebratory showers.
Sam Presti Makes “Age” Joke as Youthful Thunder Struggle Opening Champagne Bottles
The Thunder’s relatively young core struggled mightily to pop champagne bottles. In a viral clip shared by The Hoop Central, the players could be seen struggling to open the bottles before one of the squad members had to check for YouTube tutorials.
Observing the hilarity was GM Sam Presti, who quipped to reporter Rachel Nichols on X, “They’re not old enough to drink,” drawing chuckles from both journalists and online fans.
The Thunder definitely popped bottles after winning the title – but it was quick, and there wasn’t a lot of craziness in the locker room afterward. “They’re not old enough to drink,” Sam Presti just told me pic.twitter.com/TyRDZrxjqA
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) June 23, 2025
Isaiah Hartenstein, who added seven points, nine rebounds, four assists, and a single steal in Game 7, shared during the postgame media session about how they looked up on YouTube to figure out their hilarious champagne dilemma.
“First of all, none of us knew how to do it (laughter). It was more like YouTube tutorials. We were asking AC [Alex Caruso] how to do it. It was not really in sync because no one really knew how to do it… We had to learn from AC. He did a great job giving us the tutorial. We’re grateful for him,” Hartenstein thanked Alex Caruso for showing them the ropes with the bottles.
Thunder Seal the Crown
Game 7 began as a back-and-forth affair. The Indiana Pacers were buoyed by Bennedict Mathurin’s 24 points and 13 rebounds double-double. They held a 48-47 halftime edge despite losing star Tyrese Haliburton to an Achilles injury in the first quarter.
The Pacers’ effort was thwarted in the third quarter as Oklahoma City exploded on a 34-20 run. By the fourth, the Thunder had built a 13-point cushion. Indiana could never mount a comeback. The Pacers shot just 41.4% from the field and committed 21 turnovers to OKC’s seven.
Williams chipped in 20 points, four assists, and four rebounds. The 23-year-old Holmgren added 18 points, five blocks, and eight boards. With a 12-point deficit, Oklahoma City cruised home, 103-91.
THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER ARE NBA CHAMPIONS pic.twitter.com/VsVi6BY0zn
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 23, 2025
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In his postgame remarks, coach Mark Daigneault lauded the group’s unshakeable belief and cohesion. “They behave like champions. They compete like champions,” Daigneault told reporters. “They root for each other’s success, which is rare in professional sports. I’ve said it many times, and now I’m going to say it one more time. They are an uncommon team, and now they’re champions.”
For now, Thunder savors the moment. Meanwhile, Presti’s “not old enough to drink” gag will live forever in Finals lore, capturing the innocence and exuberance of a team too young to struggle with popping champagne bottles but old enough to know how to win a championship.
