OKC wins Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers 120-109, takes a 3-2 lead in the Finals series for the first time, and now has two match points. Isaiah Hartenstein could become the second German NBA champion.
German basketball pro Isaiah Hartenstein and the Oklahoma City Thunder are on the verge of winning the NBA title.
OKC won Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers at home 120-109, taking a 3-2 lead in the Finals series for the first time and now has two match points.
Jalen Williams was the outstanding man with 40 points, superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points.
Center Hartenstein, who could win the NBA title as the second German pro after Dirk Nowitzki, started again. In almost 21 minutes, the 27-year-old scored only four points, but impressed with eight rebounds. Oklahoma can now clinch the title on Thursday (local time) at the Pacers or three days later at home.
OKC had been trailing 0-1 and 1-2 in the series, now the second win in a row was a milestone.
And convincingly: At 11:12 in the first quarter, Hartenstein and Co. were last behind, at halftime it was already 59:45.
Only at 95:93 eight minutes before the end did the victory falter again. The Pacers’ top scorer was Pascal Siakam with 28 points.