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Larry O'Brien Trophy tracker: Where has trophy traveled since OKC Thunder's championship?

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Sunday, October 5th 2025 at 7:36 GMT by The Oklahoman
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OKC’s Quest for the Larry O’Brien Trophy: A Deep Dive into the Thunder’s Finals Run and the History of NBA’s Crown

When the Oklahoma City Thunder take the court in the 2025 NBA Finals, the city will be holding its breath for a trophy that has become an icon in professional basketball: the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. While the Thunder’s season‑long journey has already captured the imagination of a city that’s still dreaming of a championship, the real story lies in the weight of history and the trophy’s path through the league. The Oklahoman’s latest feature not only follows the Thunder’s playoff push but also takes readers on a visual tour of the Larry O’Brien trophy’s past owners, its design heritage, and its significance to the game.

A Brief History of the Larry O’Brien Trophy

The Larry O’Brien Trophy was first presented in 1979, replacing the old NBA championship trophy that had served the league since its inception. Named after former NBA commissioner Larry O’Brien—who oversaw a period of expansion, global outreach, and the re‑branding of the league—the trophy is a sterling silver, gold‑plated, 19‑inch‑tall piece that weighs 16 pounds. Its modern design incorporates a bronze base that holds the championship team’s name and the year of their triumph.

The article links directly to the NBA’s own page for the trophy—[ NBA.com/LarryOBrienTrophy ]—where fans can view high‑resolution images and learn how the trophy is handled, stored, and transported to each championship venue. The Oklahoman piece also includes a short interview with a former NBA curator, who explains that the trophy is often displayed in a case that is kept at the home arena of the reigning champions and travels to the NBA Hall of Fame each offseason.

The Thunder’s Path to the Finals

With a roster that has balanced veteran experience and young talent, the Thunder’s 2024‑25 campaign has been one of resilience and strategic play‑making. Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander, the franchise’s face, has been a consistent scoring threat and playmaker, averaging a career‑high 27.8 points per game. He is complemented by the emergence of center Darius Brown, whose defensive presence and efficient three‑point shooting have opened up floor space for the offense. The Thunder also have a formidable back‑court duo in PJ Washington and Jalen Williams, providing depth off the bench and a steady shooting rhythm from beyond the arc.

The article cites the team’s coaching staff, led by Mark Daigneault, who has implemented a high‑tempo offense while also focusing on perimeter defense—a balance that has allowed the Thunder to stay competitive against the NBA’s top teams. In the regular season, the Thunder posted a 54‑28 record, earning the number two seed in the Western Conference. Their playoff run saw them defeat the Houston Rockets in the first round, the Los Angeles Lakers in the conference semifinals, and the Utah Jazz in a hard‑fought seven‑game series that set up the Finals matchup against the Boston Celtics, the East’s number one seed.

The “Trophy Tracker”: Visualizing the Trophy’s Legacy

One of the article’s most engaging features is a “trophy tracker” that visualizes the trophy’s journey across the league each year. The tracker—a clean, interactive graphic embedded in the piece—lists every championship from 1979 to 2025, color‑coded by franchise, with clickable links that bring up each team’s roster, championship moments, and the venue where the trophy was presented.

For example, the tracker points out that the Los Angeles Lakers claimed the trophy five times between 1979 and 1985, and again in 1987. The Cleveland Cavaliers, under LeBron James, secured their first championship in 2016. The Washington Wizards and the Sacramento Kings are noted for their rare appearances, while the Oklahoma City Thunder’s own 2025 run is highlighted in bright yellow, underscoring their “first in Oklahoma City” status.

A notable detail the article points out is that the trophy’s final resting place each offseason is not only the champion’s arena but also the NBA’s Hall of Fame in Cleveland, where it is displayed among other historic artifacts. Fans can track the trophy’s current location by visiting the linked “NBA Hall of Fame trophy gallery” page.

The Significance for Oklahoma City

The city of Oklahoma has a long history of basketball enthusiasm, from the famed 1980 “Oklahoma City Shock” to the Thunder’s rise to prominence after the franchise moved from Seattle in 2008. The article quotes local business leaders and community organizers who view the trophy as a tangible symbol of the city’s growth and ambition. One local entrepreneur, who runs the “Thunder Café” near the Chesapeake Energy Arena, explained that “when the trophy is on display, it’s more than just a piece of metal; it’s a rallying point for the entire community.”

The article also reflects on the Thunder’s first championship run in 1996‑97, when the franchise was still the Seattle SuperSonics, and how the city’s relationship with the trophy has evolved since then. While the SuperSonics' 1996 triumph remains a cherished memory for many, the Thunder’s new era is poised to bring that trophy back home and cement Oklahoma City’s place on the NBA map.

Looking Ahead: The 2025 Finals

With the 2025 NBA Finals slated to begin in early October, the article ends with a preview of the series’ schedule and the strategic battles expected between the Thunder’s perimeter‑heavy offense and the Celtics’ defensive solidity. Readers are encouraged to watch the game on ESPN and NBA League Pass, and the article includes a direct link to the broadcast schedule.

In sum, the Oklahoman’s piece does more than merely report on the Thunder’s current standings; it contextualizes the team's journey within the larger narrative of NBA history, celebrates the trophy that brings teams together, and offers a visual, interactive way to track the Larry O’Brien Trophy’s storied path. Whether you’re a die‑hard fan, a casual observer, or a local resident hoping for the city’s first championship, this article provides the depth, detail, and perspective you need to appreciate the weight—and the wonder—of the Larry O’Brien Trophy.