OKLAHOMA CITY — Even after losing in the NBA Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder returned home to a heroes' welcome.
Thousands of fans gathered in an impromptu celebration in a grass field near Will Rogers World Airport on Friday, cheering as players took turns at the microphone thanking them for their support.
Three-time league scoring champion Kevin Durant told the crowd that "hopefully we can have a big parade next year."
After winning Game 1 of the finals, Oklahoma City lost four in a row to the Miami Heat, falling 121-106 in Game 5 on Thursday night.
NBA Sixth Man of the Year James Harden told the crowd, "next year, we'll be back in that situation and we're going to bring a championship here."