Alex Ducas is the latest Australian to etch his name in the NBA history books as the Oklahoma City Thunder clinched the 2024-25 title against Indiana Pacers in a game 7 thriller.
After trailing at the half, OKC turned up the offensive heat in the third quarter for a 103-91 win Monday midday AEST, led by league MVP, scoring champion and now Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who paced the team with a double double (29 points, 12 assists).
It’s the first ever title for the franchise, which began life as the Seattle SuperSonics before ownership repositioned the team in the South Central US for the 2008–09 season.
Indiana, one of the few remaining NBA teams to have never lifted the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, and which too has an Australian in its ranks, the rookie forward Johnny Furphy, was unable to overcome the loss of its star Tyrese Haliburton early in the decider with what appeared to be a Achilles tendon injury.
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Ducas, a 6’7” guard from Geraldton, Western Australia, who played college with Saint Mary’s, has enjoyed limited minutes for the Thunder this year, but qualifies for a ring thanks to a two-way contract that sees him log most of his game-time with Oklahoma City Blue, essentially the reserve grade team that competes in the NBA G League, the feeder league to the big show.
In 21 games this season, he averaged 1.7 points, 1.2 rebounds and six minutes per outing.
Ducas joins an elite class of Australian NBA champions including Luc Longley (three titles), Andrew Gaze, Aron Baynes, Patty Mills, Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova and Jack White.
Kyrie Irving, who was born in Melbourne but played his representative ball with Team USA, won a title with LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.
That Cavs win was the last time the NBA’s Finals was decided in a Game 7.
Ducas one of a record number of Australian athletes (13) contracted to Association squads on the opening night of the season.
