PATROLS AHEAD OF THE GAME. POLICE SAY PEOPLE WILL BE HERE AT PAYCOM, DOWN THE STREET, AT WATCH PARTIES AND OF COURSE IF THEY WIN, PACKING THE STREETS OF DOWNTOWN. SO POLICE ARE PREPARING NOW FOR THE PARTY THAT COULD COME ON THURSDAY. WE’RE HOPEFUL THAT OUR THUNDER CAN BRING HOME THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. SIX IN INDIANAPOLIS COULD BE THE GAME THAT BRINGS THE TROPHY TO OKC FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER. THERE WILL BE A LOT OF FOLKS IN DOWNTOWN. I KNOW THAT A LOT OF FOLKS SHOW UP IN DOWNTOWN TO WATCH THE GAME THERE, EITHER AT OR AT THE ARENA OR NEARBY THE THUNDER. JUST ONE WIN AWAY FROM AN NBA TITLE, AND FANS PLAN TO PACK THE PAYCOM AND FILL THE STREETS IN CELEBRATION. IF THE THUNDER END UP WINNING THAT GAME. OBVIOUSLY, IT’S GOING TO BE A VERY FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE. WE’LL HAVE EXTRA OFFICERS THERE. WE’RE WE UNDERSTAND THE GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION. OKC POLICE SAY THEY ANTICIPATE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE CELEBRATING, AND WHILE THEY DON’T EXPECT CHAOS OR CRIME, WE’RE IN A POSITION WITH THIS THAT HOPEFULLY ANY ANYBODY THERE IS GOING TO NEED A POLICE OFFICER. THERE WILL BE ONE CLOSE BY. HOPEFULLY NOBODY WILL NEED A POLICE OFFICER. BUT WHEN YOU GET LARGE CROWDS LIKE THAT LATE AT NIGHT, SOMETIMES THERE’S A NEED FOR POLICE. PLUS, A WIN WOULD PUSH THE CELEBRATION INTO THE NEXT WEEK WITH A PARADE CELEBRATING THE TEAM. OKC POLICE CHIEF RON BASI SENT THIS LETTER TO OTHER CHIEFS IN THE METRO ASKING FOR HELP IF THE TEAM WINS TO KEEP EVERYONE CELEBRATING SAFE. MANY TOWNS NOW APPROVING THIS MEASURE AHEAD OF NEXT WEEK. NOW THAT’S ALL STILL IN THE WORKS, OF COURSE, JUST PART OF A PLAN. BUT FIRST THE THUNDER HAVE TO CLINCH THE TITLE. THAT GAME WILL BE RIGHT HERE ON KOCO O
OKC police prepare for widespread celebrations if Thunder clinch NBA title
Oklahoma City is gearing up for celebrations as the Thunder could secure their first NBA title this week.
Updated: 9:15 PM CDT Jun 17, 2025
Oklahoma City is preparing for possible celebrations as the Thunder get ready to play for the NBA title in Indianapolis. Both businesses and the Oklahoma City Police Department are preparing for the possibility of the Thunder securing the championship on either Thursday or Sunday. This would be the Thunder’s first championship.”We’re hopeful that our Thunder can bring home the Championship,” Master Sgt. Gary Knight with Oklahoma City police said. He said many fans are expected to gather downtown to watch the game at the Paycom Center or nearby venues. “There will be a lot of people downtown. I know a lot of folks show up in downtown to watch the game there either at the arena or nearby,” he said.>> Video Below: Thunder superfan has missed only handful of games over nearly 2 decadesThe Thunder are just one win away from securing their first NBA title, and fans plan to pack the Paycom Center and fill the streets in celebration. “If the Thunder end up winning that game, it’s going to be a very festive atmosphere. We’ll have extra officers there. We understand the gravity of the situation,” Knight said. OKC police anticipate thousands of people celebrating, and while they do not expect chaos or crime, they are prepared for large crowds. “We’re in a position with this where, hopefully, anytime someone is in a position where they need a police officer, there will be one close by. Hopefully, nobody will need a police officer, but when you get large crowds late at night, sometimes there’s a need for police,” Knight said.>> Download the KOCO 5 App | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channelA victory would also lead to a parade celebrating the team, extending the festivities into the following week. OKC Police Chief Ron Bacy has sent a letter to other chiefs in the metro area asking for help to keep everyone safe during the celebrations. Many towns have approved this measure ahead of next week.While plans are underway, the Thunder must first clinch the title. The game will be broadcast on KOCO at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.Top Headlines TIMELINE: Severe storms bring damaging wind, hail threat to state Game 5: Williams scores 40 points and Thunder win 120-109 for a 3-2 NBA Finals lead over Pacers VIDEO: A minor league baseball team rolls out world’s largest crab cake, then feeds it to fans Reports of laser strikes on aircraft are up, FAA data shows Familiar faces at Finals: See who was in Paycom Center for Game 5 Swiss fan fulfills dream of visiting Oklahoma City for Thunder game
OKLAHOMA CITY —
Oklahoma City is preparing for possible celebrations as the Thunder get ready to play for the NBA title in Indianapolis.
Both businesses and the Oklahoma City Police Department are preparing for the possibility of the Thunder securing the championship on either Thursday or Sunday. This would be the Thunder’s first championship.
“We’re hopeful that our Thunder can bring home the Championship,” Master Sgt. Gary Knight with Oklahoma City police said.
He said many fans are expected to gather downtown to watch the game at the Paycom Center or nearby venues.
“There will be a lot of people downtown. I know a lot of folks show up in downtown to watch the game there either at the arena or nearby,” he said.
>> Video Below: Thunder superfan has missed only handful of games over nearly 2 decades
The Thunder are just one win away from securing their first NBA title, and fans plan to pack the Paycom Center and fill the streets in celebration.
“If the Thunder end up winning that game, it’s going to be a very festive atmosphere. We’ll have extra officers there. We understand the gravity of the situation,” Knight said.
OKC police anticipate thousands of people celebrating, and while they do not expect chaos or crime, they are prepared for large crowds.
“We’re in a position with this where, hopefully, anytime someone is in a position where they need a police officer, there will be one close by. Hopefully, nobody will need a police officer, but when you get large crowds late at night, sometimes there’s a need for police,” Knight said.
>> Download the KOCO 5 App | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel
A victory would also lead to a parade celebrating the team, extending the festivities into the following week.
OKC Police Chief Ron Bacy has sent a letter to other chiefs in the metro area asking for help to keep everyone safe during the celebrations. Many towns have approved this measure ahead of next week.
While plans are underway, the Thunder must first clinch the title. The game will be broadcast on KOCO at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
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