Oklahoma City Thunder championship buses are ready - Here's when and where OKC will hold parade

Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers in NBA Finals Game 7 at Paycom Center on Sunday

Published on: Jun 23, 2025, 08:19:26 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

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Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers in NBA Finals Game 7 at Paycom Center on Sunday to clinch their first NBA championship in 46 years. Hours before Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and co's victory, videos on social media showed OKC's championship buses shining and ready to go. It seems like the team was planning the parade route even before they got into the court.

Oklahoma City Thunder parade buses ready after Game 7 win (X)

As the city prepares to celebrate, championship parade buses, which sparked pre-game controversy, are ready to roll. Here’s everything you need to know about the when and where of OKC’s championship parade.

Parade Date and Time

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s championship parade should be scheduled for this week itself. While the team is yet to disclose an official date, generally teams hold parades within days.

Parade Location and Route

The parade will likely take place in downtown Oklahoma City, starting at Paycom Center (100 W Reno Ave) and proceeding through key streets, including Robinson Avenue and Broadway, before concluding near the Oklahoma City National Memorial.

Championship Buses and Controversy

The Thunder’s parade buses, pre-designed for a potential title win, became a talking point before Game 7 when Pacers coach Rick Carlisle criticized their visibility on social media. “One of the first things Carlisle said before Game 7 on Sunday was about a video he had just seen online,” noted reporter Scott Agness.

The buses, adorned with Thunder logos and “2025 NBA Champions” branding, were spotted hours before the game.

Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers were left with sheer disappointment after their loss in Game 7. Rick Carlisle and co were coming off a dominating Game 6 win, but couldn't carry the momentum into the must-win Sunday game.

Several Pacers fans arrived at Gainbridge Fieldhouse ready to celebrate their first NBA title on Sunday. However, Tyrese Haliburton's ACL injury in the first quarter dampened the mood. The point-guard's father, John, confirmed that the 25-year-old suffered Achilles tendon injury. He was taken off the court and did not return.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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