Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finally led the Oklahoma City Thunder to the promised land, 13 years after the Thunder first experienced heartbreak in the NBA Finals. On Sunday night, the Thunder were able to seal the deal, taking a 103-91 victory in Game 7 over the Indiana Pacers thanks to a dominant third-quarter effort. Gilgeous-Alexander finishes the job for the Thunder in a way that Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden weren't able to.

In fact, Durant felt like he had to join forces with the Golden State Warriors, a team that was coming off a 73-win season, just to put the Thunder playoff heartbreak in the past. This turned him into the biggest villain in the league, with Thunder fans never forgetting the serpentine decision he made.

Nonetheless, Durant has only shown love to the Thunder franchise (not his ex-teammates, for he called them out via a burner account nearly a decade ago) and thus congratulated them on their first breakthrough since relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008.

“Lil Hartenstein is slumped 😂😂😂 congrats Okc,” Durant posted on his official X account.

Durant, of course, was referring to Isaiah Hartenstein's son, who was fast asleep during the trophy presentation. That would be such a fond memory to look at for Hartenstein's son once he becomes of the age where he's aware of these kinds of things.

With that said, the Thunder have now managed to get over the hump, nearly nine years after Durant decided to seek greener pastures. Perhaps now that OKC finally has its ring, Durant will be forgiven for his decision to leave.

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Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and guards Russell Westbrook (center) and James Harden (13) react against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half in game five of the Western Conference finals of the 2012 NBA playoffs at the AT&T Center. Oklahoma City beat San Antonio 108-106
Brendan Maloney-Imagn Images

It was in 2012 when the Thunder came back from a 2-0 deficit in the Western Conference Finals and entered the NBA Finals as the favorite against the LeBron James-led Miami Heat. But even as they faltered in five games, many believed that they'd eventually win one for they had the core of Durant, Westbrook, Harden, and Serge Ibaka to build around.

But that OKC team is the perfect example of how nothing is guaranteed in the NBA. That core would never make it back to the NBA Finals, with the Thunder deciding to trade Harden instead of dipping into the luxury tax to keep him. And just as they were rounding into powerhouse form yet again, Durant decided to bolt in free agency.

But all of that is forgotten now, as the Thunder, after building masterfully via the draft after starting a rebuild in 2020, can now call themselves NBA champions — washing away all the pain that the 2010s brought upon their very loud fanbase.