Isaiah Hartenstein steps in big footsteps: with OKC he wins the seventh NBA final against the Pacers. An injury drama hits the opponent hard.
Isaiah Hartenstein kicked in big footsteps and brought the NBA title as the second German for 14 years after basketballidol Dirk Nowitzki. With Oklahoma City Thunder, the center won the decisive seventh final game against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night on Monday, so the best-of-Seven final series went 4: 3 to the best team in the main round.
For the OKC listed by the outstanding MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, it is the first title since the move (2008) and the second after 1979, at that time the franchise had triumphed under the name Seattle Supersonics. The Pacers, on the other hand, continue to wait for the Larry O’Brien Trophy to win, the early injury to their star player Tyrese Haliburton weakened the guests noticeably.
Hartenstein, born in Eugene/Oregon, equalized through the success with the Würzburg Nowitzki. The long-time NBA professional had won the crown in 2011 with the Dallas Mavericks as the only German in the North American professional league, now Hartenstein also wrote history. Four Germans failed in the finals: Detlef Schrempf (1996), Nowitzki (2006), Daniel Theis (2022) and most recently Maximilian Kleber (2024).
The title favorite Oklahoma City had won the lead in the finals for the first time on Tuesday night in front of his own audience and got two match balls, but left the first on Thursday in Indianapolis at a weak performance (91: 108). In the 20th decision in the seventh NBA final, the title went to the home team for the 16th time.
But in the extremely loud Paycom Center, the better start in the decision game Indiana. Haliburton quickly found his rhythm from the triple line, sank three out of four throws – and then went to the ground with pain. He had suffered an injury without exemption, his father confirmed at ESPN that the Achilles tendon was affected. Haliburton no longer came back to the field, but Indiana stayed persistent.
Hartenstein equalized at the end of the second quarter. At first he sank under distress, then he also hit the following free throw. Because a threesome hit the opposite side of Andrew Nembhard, the underdog went into the cabin with a 48:47.
OKC turned up after the break and took the lead back. Again and again the favorites stole the ball, but they made too little out of their possibilities in this phase. It was only with a small intermediate sprint and three of the threes that turned away somewhat, was in the middle of the third quarter with 65:56 at the front.
Hartenstein’s merit was also that the lead was held. The center worked on the defensive, won the ball and collected assists. The Pacers kept mainly thanks to TJ McConnell, but they could not compensate for the many ball losses.
Step by step OKC expanded his lead, Hartenstein sank the ball to 81:68. Gilgeous-Alexander opened the last quarter with a threesome. The fans in Oklahoma City celebrated every successful campaign and fevered when the Pacers were against the defeat. Only in the last seconds the tension gave way more and more.
Isaiah Hartenstein Follows in Big Footsteps: With Okc, He Wins The Seventh NBA Finale Against The Pacers. An Injury Drama Hits The Opponent Hard.
Isaiah Hartenstein Has Followed in Big Footsteps, Becoming The Second German, 14 Years After Basketball Idol Dirk Nowitzki, to Win the NBA Title. The Center Won the Decisive Seventh Game of the Finals Against The Indiana Pacers with Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday Night 103: 91, Giving the Best-of-Seven Final Series to the Best Team Of The Main Round With 4: 3.
For Okc, Led by the Outstanding MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, It is the first title Since the Move (2008) and the Second After 1979, When the Franchise Triumphed Under the Name Seattle Supersonics. The Pacers, on the other Hand, Have to Wait for the Larry O’Brien Trophy, The Early Injury of Their Star Player Tyrese Haliburton Weakened The Guests Noticably.
Hartenstein, Born in Eugene/Oregon, Equaled the Würzburg Native Nowitzki with the Success. The long-time nba professional with the crown with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011 as the only german in the north American Professional League to date, now Hartenstein so wrote history. Four Germans have failed in the finals: Detlef Schrempf (1996), Nowitzki (2006), Daniel Theis (2022) and Most Recently Maximilian Kleber (2024).
Title Favorite Oklahoma City Had Taken the Lead In The Finale For the First Time in Front of their Own Own Audience Night and got Two Match Balls, But Let the First One Lie On Thursday in Indianapolis With A With Performance (91: 108). In the 20th Decision in the Seventh NBA Final, The Title Went to the Home Team for the 16th Time.
But in the extremely Loud Paycom Center, Indiana Got Off To a Better Start In The Decisive Game. Haliburton Quickly Found his rhythm from the Three -Point Line, Sunk Three of Four Throws – And then Went Down in Pain. Without Outside Influence, He Suffered an Injury, his father confirmed to espn that it was the Achilles Tendon. Haliburton Did not Return to the field, but Indiana Remained persistent.
Hartenstein Equalized Towards The End of the Second Quarter. First he sunk under Pressure, that he so made the following free throw. Because Andrew Nembhard Hit a Three-Pointer on the other side, the underdog went into the cabin with a 48:47 lead.
Okc Turned Up After The Break and Took Back the Lead. Again and Again, The Favorites Stole the Ball, but they Did Too Little with their possibilities in this phase. ONLY with a small intermediate and three consecutive threee-pointers Did oket Set Itself Apart, what in the middle of the third quarters with 65:56 in front.
The fact that the lead hero what Hartenstein’s Merit. The Center Worked in the Defense, Fought for the Ball and Collected Assists. The Pacers Mainly Kept up Thanks to TJ McConnell, But They Could not compensates for the many ball losses.
Step by Step, OKC Extended Its Lead, Hartenstein Sunk the Ball to 81:68. Gilgeous-Alexander Opened the Last Quarter with a Three pointer. The fans in Oklahoma City Celebrated Every Successful Action and Cheered As The Pacers Resisted the Defeat. ONLY IN THE LAST Seconds Did the Tension Give Way more and more.