CLIFF BRUNT Sports Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

Oklahoma City Thunder fans celebrate NBA title with a parade after years of heartbreak

June 24, 2025

Oklahoma City’s unwavering fans finally got to celebrate a championship after several close calls and heartbreaking moments the past two decades. The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers on Sunday to clinch the NBA title, and the city held a parade downtown to honor its first major professional championship. The Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in time for the 2008-09 season, and the Thunder became contenders with young stars Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. They finally broke through with MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and All-Star selection Jalen Williams.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) drives as Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith defends during the second half of Game 4 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Friday, June 13, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Jalen Williams’ resilience helps Thunder gain solid position heading into Game 5 vs. Pacers

June 15, 2025

Jalen Williams keeps bouncing back. The Oklahoma City Thunder’s All-Star forward has suffered through poor shooting stretches in each of the past three playoff series. And each time, he’s recovered to help the Thunder win critical games. After two rough shooting nights to start the Finals series against the Indiana Pacers, he found his stride. In Game 4, Williams handled the ball more and was aggressive. He scored 27 points and made 8 of 18 field goals and 11 of 11 free throws. His success helped the Thunder win 111-104 to even the series at 2-2.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) shoots against Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) during the first half of Game 2 of the NBA Finals basketball series Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (Matthew Stockman/Pool Photo via AP)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gets help in Game 2 as Thunder roll past Pacers to even NBA Finals

June 8, 2025

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got some much-needed assistance from his teammates in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, and the Oklahoma City Thunder evened the series against the Indiana Pacers with a 123-107 victory. After scoring 38 points in Game 1, Gilgeous-Alexander had 34 points and eight assists in Game 2 — typical performances from the league’s MVP and scoring champion. Co-stars Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren played more like their usual selves on Sunday. Veteran reserve Alex Caruso had another strong performance and Aaron Wiggins provided a surprise boost in Oklahoma City’s first Finals win since 2012.

The Texas Longhorns softball team celebrates after defeating Texas Tech 10-4 to win the Women's College World Series championship in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Texas beats Texas Tech 10-4 in decisive 3rd game of WCWS to win its 1st national championship

June 6, 2025

Mia Scott hit a grand slam, Teagan Kavan claimed another win and Texas defeated Texas Tech 10-4 in Game 3 of the Women’s College World Series championship series on Friday night to win its first national title. Kavan, a sophomore, allowed no earned runs in all 31 2/3 innings she pitched at the World Series. She went 4-0 with a save in the World Series for the Longhorns (56-12). Texas Tech star pitcher NiJaree Canady, who had thrown every pitch for the Red Raiders through their first five World Series games, was pulled after one inning in Game 3. She gave up five runs on five hits and only threw 25 pitches.

Texas Tech pitcher NiJaree Canady celebrates during the second game of the NCAA softball Women's College World Series finals against Texas in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips

Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady breaks down after heavy pitching load in Women’s College World Series

June 6, 2025

Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady threw every pitch for the Red Raiders in the Women’s College World Series, all the way through the first two games of the championship series and the first inning of the third. Canady, who has signed a second NIL deal worth more than $1 million, finally broke down. She was pulled after giving up five runs in the first inning of Game 3 against Texas on Friday. Canady threw 88 pitches on Wednesday 107 on Thursday and started Friday. She had no doubt she was going to pitch, despite going the distance in the previous five World Series games.

Texas pitcher NiJaree Canady throws during the third game of the NCAA softball Women's College World Series finals against Texas in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Texas Tech pitcher NiJaree Canady signs a second $1 million-plus NIL deal, AP source says

June 6, 2025

Texas Tech pitcher NiJaree Canady has signed another $1 million-plus NIL deal, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the situation publicly. ESPN first reported the deal. The name, image and likeness deal came hours before Canady was set to pitch for the Red Raiders in the decisive Game 3 of the Women’s College World Series championship series against Texas.

CORRECTS TO GAME WINNING BASKET, NOT 3-PT BASKET - Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) shoots the game winning basket over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) in the closing second of the second half of Game 1 of the NBA Finals basketball series Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Thunder collapse late as Haliburton’s buzzer-beater lifts Pacers to Game 1 win

June 6, 2025

Things were going as expected for the heavily favored Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. They forced the normally efficient Indiana Pacers into 19 turnovers in the first half to lead by 12 at the break. That advantage had swelled to 15 early in the fourth quarter, and it looked like the Thunder were off to one of their usual blowout victories. The Thunder fell apart late, then Tyrese Haliburton hit a mid-range dagger that gave Indiana a 111-110 victory. The homecourt advantage Oklahoma City fought all season to gain vanished in a game it dominated for three quarters.

FILE - Texas Tech pitcher NiJaree Canady (24) throws during an NCAA college softball game on Friday, March 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E Braley, File)

Texas Tech ends Oklahoma’s 4-year run as Women’s College World Series champ with walk-off 3-2 win

June 2, 2025

Oklahoma’s run of four straight Women’s College World Series titles ended when Lauren Allred’s walk-off sacrifice fly gave Texas Tech a 3-2 victory in the semifinals. Coach Patty Gasso’s Sooners were down to their last strike in the top of the seventh inning when Abigale Dayton summoned a bit of magic, hitting a tying two-run homer against Red Raiders ace NiJaree Canady. But the Red Raiders responded quickly in the bottom half. Mihyia Davis singled with one out and Hailey Toney followed with a double. Allred hit a fly ball to right field and Sydney Barker’s throw to the plate was wide, allowing Davis to score easily.

FILE - Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) warms up before an NCAA college softball game against Delaware State on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mike Buscher, File)

Oklahoma will face hard-throwing Karlyn Pickens in quest for 5th straight Women’s CWS title

May 28, 2025

The Oklahoma Sooners may face their toughest road yet as they seek a record fifth straight Women’s College World Series championship. The second-seeded Sooners will open against hard-throwing Karlyn Pickens and No. 7 seed Tennessee. In the second game of super regional play, Pickens unleashed a pitch that traveled an NCAA record 79.4 miles per hour. Action in the eight-team double-elimination bracket begins Thursday at Devon Park. The final two teams will play for the title in a best-of-three series starting June 4. In other opening-day matchups, Texas plays Florida, Texas Tech will face Mississippi and UCLA meets Oregon.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) gestures after making a 3-point basket next to Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) during the second half of Game 4 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs Monday, May 26, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

OKC’s Jalen Williams is key as Thunder look to clinch the West, Wolves try to stay alive in Game 5

May 27, 2025

Jalen Williams, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s second scoring option, looked like a budding superstar during Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. Julius Randle, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ second option, looked like a bystander. If those results repeats themselves Wednesday in Game 5, the Thunder could clinch the series and be heading to the NBA Finals while the Timberwolves likely will head into next year still having never gotten past the conference finals. Williams scored 34 points on 13-for-24 shooting in Game 4, a 128-126 win for Oklahoma City that gave the Thunder a 3-1 lead in the series.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) dunks on Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) during the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball Western Conference Finals playoff series Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Chet Holmgren to face hometown team when Thunder visit Timberwolves in Game 3 of West finals

May 23, 2025

Minneapolis native Chet Holmgren could block his hometown team from winning a championship. Holmgren, a 7-foot-1 forward, has helped the Oklahoma City Thunder take a 2-0 lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals. He scored 22 points in Game 2, a 118-103 Thunder win. Now, he will play Game 3 in the same building where he won his fourth state title for Minnehaha Academy in his final high school game. The 7-foot-1 forward is averaging 16.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in the playoffs.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reacts after a play against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball Western Conference Finals playoff series Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Gilgeous-Alexander and Thunder overwhelm Timberwolves again, win 118-103 for 2-0 West finals lead

May 22, 2025

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 38 points a day after being named the NBA’s MVP, and the Oklahoma City Thunder overwhelmed the Minnesota Timberwolves again, winning 118-103 to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals. Gilgeous-Alexander made 12 of 21 field goals and 13 of 15 free throws after receiving his MVP trophy from Commissioner Adam Silver before the game. He also had eight assists and three steals. Jalen Williams had 26 points and 10 rebounds and Chet Holmgren added 22 points for the Thunder. Anthony Edwards scored 32 points for the Wolves but it took him 26 shots to get them.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) works the floor against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball Western Conference Finals playoff series Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Edwards, Timberwolves seek answers to Thunder’s ‘AAU’ defense to avoid 2-0 deficit

May 21, 2025

The Minnesota Timberwolves will need to solve Oklahoma City’s ‘AAU’ defense to avoid a 2-0 deficit in the Western Conference finals. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards used the term to describe Oklahoma City’s young, aggressive unit after the Thunder held the Timberwolves to 34.9% shooting in a 114-88 victory in Game 1. Edwards said the first key for him is to be more aggressive. He didn’t like that he took just 13 shots in the Game 1 loss. Minnesota made just 15 of 51 3-pointers in the opener and committed 17 turnovers. Game 2 is on Thursday night.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dribbles the ball up court against Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball Western Conference Finals playoff series Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder beat the rested Timberwolves 114-88 in Game 1 of West finals

May 20, 2025

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 20 of his 31 points in the second half, and the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-88 in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals. Gilgeous-Alexander, an MVP finalist, had nine assists. He made 8 of 14 field goals after halftime. Julius Randle scored 28 points for Minnesota, but just eight in the second half. Anthony Edwards, who had been averaging 26.5 points per game in the playoffs, was held to 18 points on 5-of-13 shooting. Oklahoma City was just two days removed from eliminating Denver in Game 7 of the conference semifinals. Minnesota hadn’t played in a week.

CLIFF BRUNT Sports Writer.

Oklahoma City Thunder fans celebrate NBA title with a parade after years of heartbreak

Jalen Williams’ resilience helps Thunder gain solid position heading into Game 5 vs. Pacers

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gets help in Game 2 as Thunder roll past Pacers to even NBA Finals

Texas beats Texas Tech 10-4 in decisive 3rd game of WCWS to win its 1st national championship

Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady breaks down after heavy pitching load in Women’s College World Series

Texas Tech pitcher NiJaree Canady signs a second $1 million-plus NIL deal, AP source says

Thunder collapse late as Haliburton’s buzzer-beater lifts Pacers to Game 1 win

Texas Tech ends Oklahoma’s 4-year run as Women’s College World Series champ with walk-off 3-2 win

Oklahoma will face hard-throwing Karlyn Pickens in quest for 5th straight Women’s CWS title

OKC’s Jalen Williams is key as Thunder look to clinch the West, Wolves try to stay alive in Game 5

Chet Holmgren to face hometown team when Thunder visit Timberwolves in Game 3 of West finals

Gilgeous-Alexander and Thunder overwhelm Timberwolves again, win 118-103 for 2-0 West finals lead

Edwards, Timberwolves seek answers to Thunder’s ‘AAU’ defense to avoid 2-0 deficit

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder beat the rested Timberwolves 114-88 in Game 1 of West finals

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