The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Boston Celtics 4-2 in the 2026 NBA Finals, capturing the franchise’s first championship since 2012 and crowning Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as Finals MVP after averaging 31.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 7.1 assists across the series.
Game 6 was played at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City before a sellout crowd of 18,203, the first Finals clinching game in the city since Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden led the Thunder to the Finals in 2012. The Thunder won 108-97.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also won the regular season MVP award earlier this spring, becoming the third player in 30 years to win both the regular season MVP and Finals MVP in the same year, joining Giannis Antetokounmpo (2021) and LeBron James (2012, 2013).
How the Thunder Won
Oklahoma City’s combination of Gilgeous-Alexander’s scoring, Jalen Williams’ two-way play, and Chet Holmgren’s rim protection proved too much for Boston’s aging core. The Thunder’s defense held the Celtics to 43.8 percent shooting from the field across the series, the lowest opponent field goal percentage in any Finals since 2004.
Boston’s Jayson Tatum struggled throughout, shooting 38.2 percent from the field and 28.4 percent from three, well below his season averages. Tatum and Jaylen Brown were both visibly hampered by the Thunder’s switching defense built around Holmgren’s length at center.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, 39, becomes the youngest head coach to win an NBA championship since Pat Riley won his first title in 1982. Daigneault has coached OKC since 2020 and led the rebuilding process that turned three lottery picks into a championship core.
2026 NBA Finals Game-by-Game Results
| Game | Winner | Score | Leading Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | OKC | 119-105 | SGA 36 pts |
| Game 2 | BOS | 112-108 | Tatum 28 pts |
| Game 3 | OKC | 121-98 | SGA 33 pts |
| Game 4 | BOS | 109-103 | Brown 31 pts |
| Game 5 | OKC | 115-107 | SGA 29 pts |
| Game 6 | OKC | 108-97 | SGA 30 pts |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 NBA championship?
The Oklahoma City Thunder won the 2026 NBA championship, defeating the Boston Celtics 4-2 in the Finals. It is the franchise’s first championship since 2012, when the team was led by Kevin Durant. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won Finals MVP.
Who is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a 27-year-old guard from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He was drafted 11th overall in 2018 by the Charlotte Hornets and traded to OKC, where he has been the franchise cornerstone since 2019. He won the 2026 regular season MVP and Finals MVP, averaging 32.7 points per game in the regular season.
When is the 2027 NBA Draft?
The 2027 NBA Draft will be held in June 2027. Lottery positions for non-playoff teams will be determined by the end of the 2026-27 regular season. The Draft Lottery is typically held in May, with the draft following in late June.
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