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Is the moment after 104 games, months of sweat, grit, and battles, trusting the presy process. 17 years since the supersonic switch. This is the moment. Fans are ready. It's called Loud City because the Thunder's amazing. These players are ready. Above all, I try to look at it as like *** blessing. Are you ready? This is the moment. Game 7 starts now. Everybody, welcome into the pay. We are live before Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Can you believe it? I can't really believe it. It is surreal in some ways to be here. I'm Brian Keating alongside Hannah Hoover. Can you believe it because you just kind of walk into this building. It feels tense and different, but everybody, you know, ready to go. You know I'm *** social person and I make *** lot of friends when I walk around here. People are asking me, Are you OK? I think I have. Please look over my face cause I'm taking it all in. And what else do you do in *** game 7 other than soak it all in, have *** good time and watch for everything because it's incredible to be here at game 7. The theater is gonna be unbelievable. It's one of the biggest games in the history of the NBA. You of course know the details. It kicks off at 7 o'clock right here on Channel 5. We've got the pre-game show for the next half an hour, and then ABC will take you up to tip off. before Game 7 of the NBA Finals, let me ask you, as we get into Game 7, how do you feel the vibe? How do you feel the players are feeling right now as they get ready to play the biggest games of their life? Well, I don't know if you heard the crowd and the cheers. That was the SGA that just came onto the floor here. just got booed *** second ago. I don't know the difference between SGA and Halliburton, how they're feeling, but I would guess that OKC is happy to be at home because they are 10 and 2 in the playoffs here at home. So that's *** good sign. Here is Shay Gilges Alexander on what it means in Game 7. It's *** really good opportunity um. Like really exciting opportunity. Uh Like *** dream come true this. I like above all, I try to look at it as like *** blessing and an opportunity, um. And then go out there and try to be the best version of myself um I think that's what we need to do so we have to do across the board um don't try to do anything spectacular don't try to do anything that you haven't done before, uh, or be less than what you've been just, just be who you are and what got you here. I think that's great advice for SGA. Just be who you are and what got you here. The thunder. Have only lost two games in *** row twice this season. They are 18-2 following *** loss. That is the best record in NBA history. They are also 6-0 this postseason. It's *** habit of losses and you are in *** s All of that plays into this game because they have been gaining maturity and experience. It's *** young team, the knock has been on them all year long, but you see that stat and I feel very encouraged about 7121. They have won those games by an average of about 20 points in this series. They've won their home games *** little tighter, obviously the game one, but they've been spectacular in this building and you would just have to believe that anytime they're in here, they're just going to play much better than when they've been on the road. No doubt. And you know what's crazy about this is Through 6 games they have been OKC versus the Pacers through 7 points of each other. You have 6 excuse me, the Pacers have 655 compared to the Thunder's 662 total points within each other. It's been close and it's going to be close. The atmosphere is going to be psychotic as Jalen Williams certainly knows. It makes like the hair on your arms stand up *** little bit like it's so like you're like anxious going into it um. It it's honestly like it's *** little like indescribable but from like *** fan perspective I can't imagine it won't be anything short of like incredibly loud obviously they're gonna be anxious too like we're very close to. You know, finishing the job but very close doesn't get you far unless you finish it, but I am excited just to see like how much the city shows out and like. I don't know I just Paycom will obviously have *** very different energy than it's probably ever had. Now the McIntyre law player to watch. McIntyre player to watch. I think it's got to bet Holmgren because we know what you're going to get from SGA. Jalen Williams has had monster games in this series. The last time they played, he had 40. Chet Holgren is still looking for his signature to be *** part of this. Maybe it happens in game 7. You know, he had 4 points in game 6, but let's go back because 6 points in game one and he bounced back with 15 in game 2. So this is *** bounce back game for Chet homegrown. We got to watch out for him because I do think he's going to make *** huge impact defensively, offensively. That's what you hang your hat on. You got to shoot better than 12% from three point line. Chet Holmgren, our McIntyre player to watch. Obviously this is an opportunity that isn't guaranteed. Um, you know, you can't take it for granted, but, uh, you know, there's *** lot of ups and downs. It's the end of the world when you lose, and, uh, you know, it's like the greatest moment in your life when you win every time, uh, but you kind of have to take the emotions out of it, uh, even though, uh, it's everything you dreamed of. Everything you dreamed of. I, I think that's *** good way to put that. We haven't had *** game seven in the NBA finals since 2016. roll the video because in game sevens, all-time Hall of Fame players. Become legends in *** whole different way. This is 2016, the last time we had *** game seven. It was Cavs and Warriors. LeBron James makes the huge block and then Kyrie Irving, the step back to win the title for the Cleveland Cavaliers. This is when LeBron James won the title for his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers. What's the last time we had *** Game 7 last time we had ***. That's crazy. You know, it was *** slugfest. Look at that final score, 93 to 89. I expect it to be *** slugfest tonight because both of these teams are going to put up the defense and it's going to be hard in game seven. They're going to be playing with desperation, Brian. All right, there's, uh, we've got folks all over the city of Oklahoma City, inside, outside. Let's go to our anchors. Um, I believe they're at the Omni right now as they're gearing up for game 7 tonight, guys. That's right. We're just across from Sciorel Park, where Thunder up in the park is still happening right now. And you think about the crowds down here, all the people inside the Paycom Center at the watch parties, at Thunder up in the park, there are tens of thousands of people, and that is impacting traffic. So Oklahoma City police are saying as soon As the game ends tonight, they're going to be closing off incoming traffic into the Bricktown area. They're only going to be allowing outbound traffic so they can let the big crowd get out. And speaking of Bricktown, that's where our Kylie Thomas is right now. Kylie, obviously so many people here at Scissor tail. There's *** lot of people there as well. Oh yeah, that's right. Crowds are definitely growing here in Bricktown. We're actually having *** pretty good mix of Pacers and Thunder fans. Let me tell you, the competitive spirit is high. It's been very fun, but the air is exciting here in Bricktown. We actually ran into *** very big Thunder fan, but even *** bigger Alex Caruso fan who's hoping that *** new nickname he created catches on. OK. So honestly, back in the day there was *** honey badger, which everyone knew the honey badger in college football. He did whatever he wanted, but this guy is *** new honey badgers Wuver Russo, because *** Wolverine is honestly more hardcore than *** honey badger. It takes anything it wants. It takes that thing 3 times its size, and that's what Crusoe is all about strength, determination, aptitude. This dude's *** beast. Guys, it doesn't get better than that. I'm really hoping that new nickname it catches on. He's been *** big fan favorite this season. He's been amazing. We've seen *** lot of fans wear the headband around their head and dress up as him, so I'm hoping that we see more of that here in Bricktown. Reporting live, Kylie Thomas, KOCL 5 News. Woans just having so much fun out here, and we want to show you *** few live looks because the crowds are large and in charge as the Thunder faithful Thunder nation out here ready to cheer on their team. Game 7 of the NBA Finals right here on KOCO 5. We have so much more to come as we count you down to tip off tonight. Stay with us. You are looking live across Oklahoma City. We're in the arena obviously counting down to Game 7. Thunder up in the park, the Jones assembly. The city is going to be nuts tonight for Game 7 of the NBA Finals, and our Thunderbird casino best bet to win. Now the Thunderbird Casino best bet to win. Did you know Hannah Hoover that the Oklahoma City Thunder are *** 6.5 point favorite to win Game 7 tonight? I knew that it's one of the largest spreads in NBA Finals. Put up the numbers, it's not only the 6.5 to win the game tonight, but SGA. The number for SGA total points 33 5. What do you got? Well, I'd say let's just go over over because he just had 21 points and 8 turnovers in game 6, Brian, so we need for SA. 33.5 Thunder 6.5 point favorites are Thunderbird Casino. Best bet to win. Um, we will be right back before game 7. Plenty more to come on the pregame show, counting down. To the biggest sporting moments in the state of Oklahoma's history. Live at the Pecom next. We are counting you down to tip off just over an hour away. The crowds have been gathering *** couple of live looks, and we want to bring you now to the Omni Hotel where we have been live just across from the Scissortel Park. We are joined by Oklahoma City's Mayor David Holt. Good to see you. Thank you so much for being here with us. The world is watching OKC right now. How are you feeling? Yeah, well, I mean, on the one hand. As *** sports fan, I'm excited. On the other hand, as *** mayor, I'm also amazed at this platform. I mean, you're right, I mean, billions of people will watch this game tonight. And then I think also as *** Thunder fan I also want to go roll into *** ball in the corner of the room, but it's all the emotions. We understand that the nerves are high over here. You know, it's interesting this Game 7, it's just part of *** story that OKC has been *** part of. We had former Mayor Mick Cornett on. here talking about obviously his role early bringing the team here. Now you're the mayor as we're transitioning perhaps into ***, you know, maybe *** championship season, *** new arena coming. I mean, what does this mean for Oklahoma City to be at this point right now and for you personally? Well, oh gosh, I mean, you know, like Mick, I mean an OKC kid, you know, never dreamed of this moment, never dreamed of having *** team, much less being. On this, you know, on this stage, so that's it's still, I, I never want to be, uh, take any of that for granted. I still pinch myself, you know, but, but yeah, I mean this is *** remarkable time. Just last week we, we signed *** deal with the Thunder to keep him here until 2053, you know, the arena's coming. We're going to have *** design for that out this this summer, which will be really exciting, and that'll open in 3 years. And then this, this platform obviously has just been amazing for the city. Regardless of how the series turns out, but obviously if we win tonight, it's sort of sports immortality and it'll start every conversation about every topic involving Oklahoma City for the next 5 to 10 years. I mean, it opens doors for us to go far beyond basketball, so *** lot's at stake tonight for our city for sure. The impact is incredible and regardless, it's *** historic moment either way. You put out *** message to fans tonight. What do you want people to know? Well, you know, we have, we already have unabashedly the best fans in the NBA, especially this playoffs. Um, but I, you know, I, I had some observations, you know, so I shared some notes with, uh, with the fans, and it was, you know, uh, get in your seats tonight by 6 because that'll show, I think that'll show something *** little different when they come out for warmups and the fan, the entire bowl is full, they'll be like, OK, I get it. You guys, you guys are bringing it. We're gonna bring it, um, you know, I also said, uh, no one's gonna sit down. You know, we do occasionally sit down. That's that's natural and understandable, not tonight. And I said you got to be in your seats at the beginning of the 3rd quarter sometimes because everybody is so like, you know, in their seats, uh, for. Who first half, you know, then they've got to go like go to the bathroom and get their hot dogs or whatever. Well, you know what, I understand that again as well. I'm sympathetic to it, but not tonight. We can't have like 6 dead minutes, you know, to start the 3rd quarter. And finally, like you got to be exhausted. Like you got to be chanting defense in the 2nd quarter like it's overtime, you know. So those were my notes and it seemed like it circulated pretty well. So I think, I think we're going to have *** crowd unlike any, any you've ever seen in NBA history tonight. I believe that tonight. Dare I ask you for *** for *** prediction here on the game? We're going to win. I agree. We're going to win. We're gonna win. I'm gonna keep saying that to myself. Yeah, no, I, I think we're all saying the same thing as well, but but really like every statistical trend, whether it's NBA history or whether it's our own performance in these playoffs or whether it's this series, favors the Thunder. But you know, but we got to show up and so do the fans. They're going to come out strong. They're going to show up and they're going to show out for sure. Well, you said be in your seat by 6 o'clock. You gotta get out of there, OK. Thank you so much for joining us. Thank you. Thank you for your coverage. Yeah. Yeah, absolutely, no problem. And continuing our coverage. We got our sports team on the floor at the pay center. Mayor, get on your seat. You got 10 minutes to get there by your deadline. We'll see. It's it's buzzing *** little bit more in here guys, you can, you can feel it. You can signing autographs. It's what he does his routine. Game 7, stay with us coming up next. It is the biggest night in sports history for our city. Welcome back, everyone. The crowd is ready. We have just *** little over an hour to go until tip off. Love it. Game 7 here in OKC are Elise Jones down outside. We're in the Omni. She's across the street at Sister Tale Park for thunder up in the park, Elise. Yeah guys, you know it has been so loud and electric here pretty much all day at Thunder up in the park, but I'm gonna be honest, the closer we get to game time, the more nerves that I can tell there's just *** lot of fans starting to quiet down, kind of look around and realize this is it, this is game 7. So you know who's not nervous though? The kids, and we talked to two of the biggest Thunder fans, and they are fully confident in their team. Here's what they had to say. What do you guys think's gonna happen tonight for game 7? All right, we think that she's gonna, she's gonna go triple, triple, step backs too, and we're gonna win, we're gonna win. What's your score prediction? What do you think the score is going to be. Probably like 100 to 24, low, low out. Yeah, and you know we need to have more confidence like those little Thunder fans. That's exactly what we're looking for in this game. So we will be out here and inside the arena tonight for Game 7 guys, back to you. All right, Elise, thanks so much as we say goodbye from here in the Omni. It's been *** wonderful time, you know, counting you down to tip off here. Obviously *** huge moment. Game 7 in Oklahoma City, *** chance for this for the city, for the team, for the fans, for everybody to witness and experience history together. It has been our honor. We have had so much fun covering this, and here we are, the last night, Game 7. Let's send it back inside the Paycom Center where sports director Brian Keating and Hannah Hoover are standing by you guys. The fans are ready. The fans are ready. I'm ready. I, I am, I am ready. And the final thing for us to do, I guess, are Academy sports, keys to the game. Now the Academy Sports keys to the game. Hannah Hoover, our academy sports keys to the game. It's not complicated, very simple, just find *** way, it takes *** way in *** way and an NBA champion. *** factor turnovers and as well as 3 point shots, but just do whatever it takes, scratch and claw your way because this is game 7 of the NBA Finals and I believe every person on this team is going to play with desperation because they have to. It's *** privilege, you know, it's *** privilege for everybody that gets to participate. um, it's an unbelievable thing and an unbelievable experience, um, and you know, both teams have earned the opportunity to experience that. to stand in front of this. You know, both teams earned the opportunity. It's *** privilege. I heard Chet say it. You're either going to make the plays or you're going to watch the plays be made. And I know that OK, Steve wants to be on the other side of that. There you have it, field goal percentages, 3 pointers, turnovers, you gotta be better in game 7, Brian. You know what Hannah, when I was *** kid, we didn't come to downtown Oklahoma City. There was nothing in downtown Oklahoma City. OKC invested in itself, and it's why we were ready when the Hornets came calling after the catastrophe and Hurricane Katrina. It's why Clay Bennett and Aubrey McClendon and their group invested in this city and this town to bring this team and dream of nights like tonight. Oklahoma City, you have earned the right to be here tonight. I cannot guarantee you will win tonight, but you have earned the right to be on this stage. You wanted to sit at the table with the great sports franchises and sports moments in the history, and you get that. Tonight, enjoy it, look around and dream. Dream big tonight because if it happens tonight, dream big. Hannah Hoover, I'm Brian Keating. Here's to 7. We'll see you later.