On June 22, 2025, the Paycom Center erupted in cheers as the Oklahoma City Thunder clinched their first NBA title since moving from Seattle in 2008. Previously, they had won one title in 1979 as the SuperSonics before the ownership changed.
Meanwhile, Thunder star Isaiah Hartenstein’s son, Elijah, became the center of attention. In a now-viral clip, Elijah could be seen fast asleep in his father’s arms. Despite the uproar surrounding him, Elijah was unfazed and slept peacefully. As expected, the moment went viral online as fans shared their lighthearted take on social media.
Isaiah Hartenstein’s Son Snoozes in His Father’s Arms Unbothered of the Big Win
As the confetti fell and the Thunder raised their arms in triumph, Hartenstein stepped forward to receive his piece of history. Clutching Elijah, he leaned forward and spoke into the mic. “I don’t know why he’s asleep right now,” Hartenstein quipped, earning laughter and cheers from the crowd. “I guess it’s not loud enough.”
Hartenstein even asked the attending fans to make more noise, hoping that it would wake his son. But Elijah stayed asleep in his dad’s arms. The video was shared on X by Hoop Central. It captured the heartwarming moment as fans across social media flooded the comments with lighthearted jokes.
Isaiah Hartenstein’s son is sound asleep.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 23, 2025
One X user wrote, “He had to watch Shai shoot free throws from game 1 of the season to game 7 of the finals.”
While some fans brought attention to the fact that Hartenstein wasn’t providing proper support to Elijah’s head as he was asleep, leading to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stepping up to lift the baby’s head from behind. The X account of @PickTheOdd commented, “SGA trying to hold his head up. He really is the MVP.”
SGA trying to hold his head up. He really is the MVP pic.twitter.com/DruYXIE8y8
— Pick The Odds (@PickTheOdd) June 23, 2025
Another fan added a lighthearted jab and wrote, “The baby really said “yall took long enough, it was supposed to be over in 4”,”
Even Kevin Durant could not resist to comment as he tweeted, “Lil Hartenstein is slumped congrats Okc.”
Lil Hartenstein is slumped congrats Okc.
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) June 23, 2025
Later, Hartenstein laughed off the spectacle, promising, “I’ll tell him about it tomorrow,” as other teammates rallied around, gently adjusting the baby’s head so he could stay comfortable during the interviews.
Thunder Closed Out 2025 NBA Finals
Game 7 of the NBA Finals lived up to its billing as a classic showdown, with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge for the Thunder. OKC dominated from the opening tip with 25-22. In the third quarter, they went 34-20, pulling away in the second half to secure a 103-91 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Gilgeous-Alexander became the 2025 Finals MVP. Additionally, he poured in 29 points and dished out 12 assists in a performance that reiterated his evolution into one of the league’s premier two-way guards. Jalen Williams chipped in 20 points, while Chet Holmgren added 18 and five blocks, giving the Thunder a well-rounded offensive attack.
Alex Caruso added 10 points, but his Michael Jordan-inspired putback dunk during the third quarter went viral online. Caruso flew into the air as OKC was in the lead 70-64. Fans in the arena and across the world held their breath to see Caruso recreate history by executing Jordan’s famous putback dunk from 1992. But the shot hit the board as Caruso fell on his back and went skidding off the court.
Caruso just went for put back dunk of the century pic.twitter.com/sdUZN67QN9
— J.P. Hovey (@jhovey34) June 23, 2025
The Pacers, hampered early by a devastating Achilles injury to star guard Tyrese Haliburton in the opening quarter, struggled to keep pace. Bennedict Mathurin led Indiana with 24 points and 13 rebounds, but the loss of Haliburton’s playmaking proved too much to overcome. Oklahoma City’s suffocating defense forced 21 turnovers. However, before succumbing to his leg injury, Haliburton added nine points, with 3-of-4 three-pointers.
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By the final buzzer, the Oklahoma City Thunder had secured their first championship, handing the Indiana Pacers a terrible and unforgettable defeat.
