Led by point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league's Most Valuable Player, the Thunder outlasted the Indiana Pacers for the team's first title since moving to Oklahoma in 2008.
It would be the first NBA title for either of the two energetic fan bases and their exciting young teams. The Thunder, led by newly minted league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is the early favorite.
It's impossible to predict what will happen in the NBA's conference finals matchups. But one thing is for certain: One long-suffering fanbase is about to have something to celebrate.
It has been over 20 years since NBC had rights to broadcast NBA games. Its last run was during the 90s, which coincided with Michael Jordan's reign over basketball.
LeBron James has been so good for so long, there's a famous running joke about when he might slow down. At age 40, where does his 50,000 career points record put him in the GOAT debate?
The statue was months in the making. Upon its unveiling Sunday, fans suggested it looks more like former professional boxer George Foreman and Matrix actor Laurence Fishburne.
The Jameses, who both play for the L.A. Lakers, shared the court for several minutes on the NBA's opening night. They join a very small club of father-son teammates in American professional sports.
Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo, one of the best defensive players in NBA history and a longtime global ambassador for the game, died Monday from brain cancer, the league announced. He was 58.
Chase Budinger spent seven years with the NBA before retiring to focus on beach volleyball. He and his partner Miles Evans easily defeated their French opponents in their Olympic debut on Monday.
Bryant played in the NBA for eight seasons, before taking his playing career overseas. He later coached at a his alma mater, La Salle University, as well as the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks.
Walton starred for the UCLA Bruins before an influential but injury-derailed NBA career in Portland, San Diego and Boston. Afterward, he became one of the biggest stars in basketball broadcasting.
The Atlanta Hawks won the NBA draft lottery, landing the No. 1 pick and a potential cornerstone player in a year where there's no clear-cut choice. The Hawks hit the jackpot despite just 3% odds after finishing 10th in the Eastern Conference at 36-46.
The Toronto Raptors player has been banned for life from the NBA after a probe found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors and bet on games, even betting on the Raptors to lose.
