OKLAHOMA CITY — Hundreds of thousands of people lined city streets, cheering in the confetti- filled air as open-air buses carrying the Oklahoma City Thunder paraded by.

Oklahoma City Police estimated that nearly 500,000 people crammed shoulder- to- shoulder along the nearly two-mile parade route that stretched through downtown to commemorate the Thunder’s first NBA championship since coming to the city in 2008.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander toted the NBA Finals MVP trophy behind a parade float Tuesday, raising his left hand to the beat of chants of “MVP, MVP” from the crowd as Oklahoma City turned out in temperatures approaching triple-digits to celebrate the Thunder’s first championship.

Alexander, who began the day in a white tank with his Canadian flag shirt tied around his waist, carried the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy to the barricade so fans could touch the hardware.

Accounting for humidity, the heat index at the peak of the parade was 101 degrees according to Accu-Weather. Thick air didn’t slow down the party for the Thunder or thousands of fans assembled for a celebration that started in Midtown on Tuesday morning.

Defensive stopper Lu Dort and 7-footer Chet Holmgrenshoweredattendees with champagne, first from the second level of the team’s double-decker bus and later from the top of a golf cart.

“It’s very hot out here, so I’m going to keep this short and sweet,” Jalen Williams said. “Without this, none of this is possible without you guys. You guys have been through the ups and downs of the Thunder organization. We appreciate you guys. We love you guys.”

Isaiah Hartenstein said he hadn’t slept for 36 hours, unlike his young son, who was fast asleep in his father’s arms in the immediate aftermath of the team’s Game 7 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.

“It’s amazing. To experience it with the family, with the community, it’s been really special,” Hartenstein said.

The celebration included a stage for the closing ceremony at Scissortail Park.

Aaron Wiggins ignited the crowd with a brief speech that touched on humble beginnings as the 55th pick to a franchise that won 24 games during his rookie season.

“There was a point where they tried to call us the black hole of the NBA,” Wiggins said. “But four years later, when they mention the Thunder organization when they mention (owner) Clay Bennett, (general manager) Sam Presti, (head coach) Mark Daigneault and every single one of you in this arena, they’ve got to mention you as NBA champs. And that’s it!”

OKC Mayor David Holt took to the stage to rally the crowd. He concluded his speech by announcing the entire Thunder roster plus Clay Bennett, Sam Presti and Mark Daigneault will have their own designated holiday from June 30 to July 30.

Here’s the full list of the Thunder-related holidays during June and July: June 30 Clay Bennett Day July 1 Sam Presti Day July 2 Mark Daigneault Day July 7 Branden Carlson July 8 Alex Ducas Day July 9 Adam Flagler Day July 10 Nikola Topic Day July 11 Ousmane Dieng Day July 14 Dillon Jones Day July 15 Ajay Mitchell Day July 16 Jaylin Williams Day July 17 Kenrich Williams Day July 18 Isaiah Joe Day July 21 Aaron Wiggins Day July 22 Cason Wallace Day July 23 Isaiah Hartenstein Day July 24 Alex Caruso Day July 25 Lu Dort Day July 28 Chet Holmgren Day July 29 Jalen Williams Day July 30 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Day