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Professional basketball

NBA's Final Four: A League First in Seven-Year Run of Parity

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The NBA has never experienced a drought of championships like it has now, with the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Minnesota Timberwolves all waiting for their first title. The longest running streak of parity in the league's history is about to come to an end, as commissioner Adam Silver prepares to hand one of these teams the Larry O'Brien Trophy next month. This is the longest run of seven different champions in a seven-year span for the NBA, surpassing the league's previous record. The Oklahoma City Thunder have become the youngest team to win at least 60 games, finishing the regular season with a league-best 68-14 record.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NBA will crown its seventh different champion in seven years, the longest such run of parity in the league's history.
  • The Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, have made it to the Western Conference finals.
  • The Thunder defeated the Denver Nuggets 125-93 in Game 7, becoming the first team to win the series in Oklahoma City since 2016.
  • Coach Mark Daigneault praised his team's ability to handle pressure and focus through the grueling Game 7.
  • Nikola Jokic, a three-time NBA MVP, had 20 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists for the Nuggets, despite their loss.
  • Aaron Gordon, a key player for Denver, played despite a strained left hamstring and had eight points and 11 rebounds in 24 minutes.
  • The Thunder outscored the Nuggets 39-20 in the second quarter and led 60-46 at halftime, before cruising to a 78-57 lead in the third quarter.

Statistics:

  • 7: The number of different champions in the NBA over a seven-year span, led by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
  • 68: The number of games won by the Thunder in the regular season, the most in the league.
  • 14: The number of losses suffered by the Thunder in the regular season, the fewest in the league.
  • 60: The minimum number of games won required to make the playoffs, which the Thunder achieved.
  • 125: The final score in Game 7 between the Thunder and Nuggets.
  • 7: The number of years it has taken to produce seven different champions in the NBA, including the Thunder.

Sources:

  • The Associated Press

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