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The internet is stunned as KD throws shade on the very night OKC Thunder wins the NBA Championship!

Posted on June 23, 2025 - 6:37 am by

In a night filled with electrifying celebration, the Oklahoma City Thunder clinched their first NBA Championship in the franchise’s OKC era, defeating the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in a thrilling Game 7 on Sunday. The victory capped a historic 2024-25 season, with the Thunder amassing an astonishing 84 wins, joining an elite group of just four NBA teams to achieve such a feat in a single season. But amidst the confetti and champagne, it was a post from former Thunder superstar Kevin Durant that stole the spotlight, igniting a firestorm across the internet.

Durant, who spent nine iconic years with the Thunder, leading them to the 2012 NBA Finals and earning the 2014 MVP Award, took to X to congratulate his former team—but with a twist. His post, which racked up over 56,000 likes and 1.5 million impressions in just one hour, read: “Lil Hartenstein is slumped 😂😂😂 congrats Okc.” The playful jab at Pacers’ center Isaiah Hartenstein sent fans into a frenzy, with many interpreting it as classic KD shade, delivered with impeccable timing on OKC’s night of triumph.

The Thunder’s 2025 championship run was nothing short of legendary. As the Western Conference’s top seed with a jaw-dropping 68-14 regular-season record, they steamrolled through the playoffs, dispatching the Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and finally the Pacers. Powered by sharpshooting, versatile bigs, and the dynamic scoring of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—whom Durant affectionately dubbed “Deuce”—the Thunder showcased a masterclass in modern basketball. Their blend of size, athleticism, and coaching brilliance under Mark Daigneault earned them praise as a “perfectly crafted unit.”

Durant himself had high words for this Thunder squad just weeks earlier, on May 29, when asked to compare them to his 2012 Finals team. He sidestepped hypotheticals but couldn’t hold back his admiration, writing: “This 2025 Thunder team, they are historically great. Great shooting all across the board, efficient go-to scorer in Deuce, size and athleticism all across the board, versatility, shooting big and bruiser big, great coaching. Just a flat out perfectly crafted unit. I f**k with their approach to basketball. They are puttin together great film to learn from.” His comments underscored the respect he holds for OKC’s evolution, even as he left the franchise in 2016 to join the Golden State Warriors, where he won two titles.

Yet, Durant’s Sunday night post reminded fans of his knack for stirring the pot. The “Lil Hartenstein” quip, paired with his OKC congratulations, struck a chord with NBA Twitter, sparking memes, debates, and endless reactions. Some saw it as a lighthearted nod, while others viewed it as KD subtly flexing his history with the Thunder while taking a swipe at the defeated Pacers. Regardless, it was quintessential Durant—unfiltered, witty, and perfectly timed to hijack the conversation.

As Oklahoma City basks in its long-awaited championship glory, Durant’s shadow looms large, not just as a former star but as a cultural lightning rod. His X post proved once again that even on the Thunder’s biggest night, KD knows how to keep the internet buzzing. For OKC fans, the title is sweet, but Durant’s shade? That’s just the cherry on top of a historic season.