Isaiah Hartenstein wins the NBA title. His son is present at the awards ceremony and becomes a star.
Isaiah Hartenstein has reached the basketball Olympus and has become an NBA champion for the first time in his career. After the 103:91 of his Oklahoma City Thunder in the decisive seventh game against the Indiana Pacers, the show was stolen from the German star by his son Elijah.
Because the offspring was present at the awards ceremony and even made superstar Kevin Durant laugh. The 36-year-old, who was traded to the Houston Rockets in a mega-trade just a few hours earlier, wrote on Twitter to a video of the ceremony: “Little Hartenstein has collapsed.” Durant provided his post with several laughing smileys.
But what had happened? After the decisive victory, all the players and coaches of OKC gathered on the field for the great honor. Hartenstein had his son Elijah in his arms. But the junior, born in May 2024, completely overslept the turmoil.
“Hartenstein’s son sleeps contently”
He took a nap in the arms of his famous father and did not let the noise wake him up.
“I don’t know why he’s sleeping. Get louder to wake him up,” Hartenstein said and laughed. The fans obeyed and screamed, but Elijah did not move. Hartenstein then promised: “I will tell him tomorrow.”
The press already reacted to the scene. Yahoo Sports wrote: “Hartenstein’s son sleeps contently during the trophy ceremony and misses a milestone in his father’s life. But you can’t blame him.”
Hartenstein’s son provides a “wonderful sight”
The Men’s Journal said: “His son steals the show from Hartenstein.” The portal Baskethoops called it a “viral moment.” USA Today found the scene “simply adorable.”
And Sports Illustrated was quite baffled: “Unfortunately, young Hartenstein overslept the whole thing. Despite the sold-out Paycom Center with around 18,000 spectators and all the excitement, Hartenstein’s son fell asleep on his father’s chest. It was truly a wonderful sight.”
Hartenstein is only the second German basketball player after Dirk Nowitzki to win the NBA title. In the decisive game, he played 18 minutes and contributed seven points and nine rebounds.