The Thunder Fumble Away Game 6, Hartenstein's Squad Faces Elimination in Game 7
Hardenstein's team, the Thunder, experiences a crushing defeat; their survival now hangs in the balance, as they brace for an-all-or-none showdown.
Sound off on social media: #NBAFinals #Game6 #PacersVsThunder #Hartenstein
The Oklahoma City Thunder choked away a golden opportunity in the NBA Finals, blowing their first match point in a pathetic showing against the Indiana Pacers. The Thunder's title hopes hang by a thread, as they lost Game 6 108-91, tying the series at 3-3. The winner-take-all showdown is set for Monday (02:00 CEST, ProSieben MAXX).
Isaiah Hartenstein, the German center, had a shot at lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy as the second German to do so, following Dirk Nowitzki's triumph with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011. But the Thunder under Hartenstein struggled throughout the game.
The Thunder grabbed the lead for the first time in the Finals early in the contest but quickly squandered it. The Pacers started strongly, and a 10-2 run in the fourth minute ballooned to a 17-26 lead by the ninth minute.
Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers' star, ignited the offense, pouring in points despite lingering calf issues. The Pacers hit multiple three-pointers in the first half, while the Thunder missed almost all of theirs, allowing the gap to expand steadily. Hartenstein and fellow standout Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trailed by half time (42-64).
The Thunder seemed to be paralyzed by the pressure of the big moment, playing in front of 17,274 fans in Indianapolis. Hartenstein's night got off to a slow start, with more than five minutes passing before he scored for his team. The Pacers maintained control, answering every Thunder run.
Things appeared bleak for the Thunder as they entered the final quarter, trailing 60-90, shooting a dismal 15% from beyond the arc (3 out of 20). Coach Mark Daigneault substituted his starters with the final quarter approaching.
Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 21 points but committed eight turnovers. Hartenstein tallied 10 points and four rebounds. Obi Toppin, the Pacers' top scorer, lit up the scoreboard with 20 points, showcasing a cohesive team effort in holding off elimination in front of the home crowd.
Four Germans have previously fallen short in the NBA Finals: Detlef Schrempf, Nowitzki, Daniel Theis, and most recently Maximilian Kleber. But Hartenstein has a chance to rectify this, with the series now on the line in Game 7 at home.
Sources: ntv.de, ter/sid
Recent News:
- NBA Finals: Pacers vs Thunder, Game 6 Stats
- Isaiah Hartenstein: 10 points, 4 rebounds
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 21 points, 8 turnovers
- Obi Toppin: 20 points, Pacers' top scorer
Enrichment Data:
- Overall In the NBA Finals series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers, Game 6 took place on June 19, 2025. The Pacers won the game decisively, with a score of 108-91 over the Thunder, forcing a winner-take-all Game 7 in the series[1].
Regarding Isaiah Hartenstein's involvement in the game, highlights from Game 6 show that he contributed with rebounds and some floor presence. At one point, Hartenstein grabbed a rebound and put the ball on the floor, showcasing his activity on the court. Although he faced defensive pressure, including having the ball knocked out of his hands, he was active in plays near the basket[5]. The game footage confirms that Hartenstein was engaged but does not highlight a dominant statistical performance.
- Impact of the Game The impact of this game on the series is significant as with the Pacers' victory in Game 6, the series was tied, setting up a decisive Game 7 to determine the champion. The Thunder, having lost by 17 points, faced a must-win situation in the final match to clinch the NBA title[1].
In summary:
- The Pacers defeated the Thunder 108-91 in Game 6, forcing a Game 7 in the NBA Finals[1].
- Isaiah Hartenstein contributed through rebounds and floor play but was not a leading scorer or standout in the scoring stats[5].
- The series is now tied, making Game 7 the decisive match for the championship[1].
Join the sports conversation on social media using hashtags like #NBAFinals, #Game7, and #PacersVsThunder, as the Oklahoma City Thunder face elimination in the NBA playoffs. Despite putting up a fight, the Thunder's chances at winning the NBA championship are on the line after losing Game 6 to the Indiana Pacers, 108-91. In Game 7, Isaiah Hartenstein will have a chance to lead his team to victory and make history as the second German to lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Basketball fans around the world will be tuning in to catch the Thunder's last stand in the NBA Finals.
