Particle.news
Download on the App Store
13 ARTICLES
·
last wk.

Kristin Chenoweth’s Anthem Divides Fans as Thunder Clinch First NBA Title

Before Game 7, the Oklahoma native delivered a signature operatic high note that underscored her deep ties to the team.

Kristin Chenoweth sings the national anthem before the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder played in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals on June 22, 2025, at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Kristin Chenoweth performs during the 54th annual Songwriters Hall of Fame induction and awards gala on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York.
Kristin Chenoweth sings the national anthem before game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center, June 22, 2025, Oklahoma City.

Overview

  • Chenoweth took the microphone on June 22 before NBA Finals Game 7, and her rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” aired live on ABC.
  • The Broadway star held a sustained, vibrato-rich high note on the word “free,” showcasing her operatic training.
  • Supporters in Paycom Center cheered the performance while social media users reacted with both applause and pointed criticism.
  • Oklahoma City defeated the Indiana Pacers 103–91 to secure its first NBA championship and earned Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Finals MVP honors.
  • A proud Oklahoma City University alumna and Hall of Fame inductee, Chenoweth has sung the anthem at multiple Thunder games and admitted feeling pre-game butterflies.