The Monday morning edition of Oklahoma Memo is on 2 hours of sleep, coming to you from Newark Liberty International Airport. Long story. Thanks to United and the FAA, our connecting flight was canceled over the weekend. Boo, hiss.

But that meant I got to watch the first quarter of Game 7 from a bar in midtown Manhattan, a place called Yard House. The bartender was way cool, and when I told him I was from Oklahoma City, he proceeded to find me a chair so I could sit in the corner, drink a cold one and watch the game.

The bar and, really, the entire restaurant was packed. Full. The empty chair you see in this photo was a guy at the restroom. The cool bartender is the one with the man bun in the distance.

My family and I (they were watching a Broadway show) made it home in time for the second half — and the rest is history. The Oklahoma City Thunder are NBA Champions.

Let’s read that again.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are NBA Champions.

We’re still not home from this trip, but even on 2 hours of sleep, this crew is on top of the world. So much Oklahoma pride.

Heck, and I swear this is true: Flaming Lips made an appearance on Newark airport radio this morning!

Okies are everywhere.

NBA Finals | Thunder win series 4-3
Thunder 103, Pacers 91

5 things to know:

• Tyrese Haliburton left the game with under 5:00 in the 1Q. He apparently suffered an Achilles injury, which if true would keep him out most all of next season.

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named Finals MVP in what was no shock at all.

• But with the Pacers pressing late in the game, the MVPs of the 4th quarter for Oklahoma City were Chet Holmgren and Lu Dort. Chet provided the Thunder with a backcourt safety valve, and Dort made a couple of huge hustle steals.

• Indiana’s offensive stats (FG%, 3PT%, FT%, rebounds) were all better than OKC’s. However, the Thunder defense produced 23 turnovers to the Pacers’ 8. Defense won the Thunder this title. Believe that.

• The parade happens Tuesday. More info in the Oklahoma Rundown!

And shout out again to that awesome employee at Yard House. Folks give New York City a bad rap on friendliness, but that has never been my experience.

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Weather Update ☀️

Hot, hot, hot. Early guess at a Tuesday morning parade temp in OKC is 80 degrees.

🌡️ Monday's high in OKC 90°
🌡️ Monday’s high in Tulsa 91°

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The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

A hand-curated list of the best journalism from across the state:

• SGA scores 29, and the Thunder beat Indiana 103-91 in Game 7 (KOCO)

• Thunder fans celebrate Oklahoma City's first-ever major professional sports league title (KOSU)

• Everything you need to know about the Oklahoma City Thunder downtown parade (News 9)

• Purchase your commemorative edition of The Oklahoman (The Oklahoman)

• ‘No way, man': Basketball world reacts to Tyrese Haliburton's injury in NBA Finals Game 7 (The Oklahoman)

• NBA shares adorable video of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with family after Thunder win title (KOCO)

• 'It doesn't feel real': Jalen Williams talks immediate emotions after winning NBA title (KOCO)

• Oklahoma native, Thunder fan Kristin Chenoweth performs national anthem before Game 7 of NBA Finals (KFOR)

• Watch: Guthrie native “Coach Mack” earns ESPN spotlight as beloved NBA security guard (Guthrie News Page)

• Police respond to a shooting in downtown OKC after Thunder win Championship (KFOR)

• Legal roundup: While Walters declares court victory, Stitt v. Drummond heats up (NonDoc)

• Oklahoma senator seeks legal opinion on drag shows (Oklahoma Voice)

• Oklahoma City to get EPA funds for brownfield site cleanup (KGOU)

• Few Shareholders Support Oklahoma Treasurer’s Anti-DEI Push (Oklahoma Watch)

• Oklahoma City to overhaul municipal codes for first time in decades (Oklahoma City Free Press)

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