Hardenstein's Thunder Experiences a Collapse, Forced into Do-or-Die Scenario
Plundering the Championship: OKC's Missteps Turns Game 6 into Pacers' Victory
The Oklahoma City Thunder, featuring the talented German center Isaiah Hartenstein, disappointingly forfeited their first match point in the NBA Finals with a subpar performance, leading the title series to a nerve-wracking 3-3 tie. Game 7 will unfold in Oklahoma City on Monday at 02:00 CET on ProSieben MAXX.
Is Hartenstein on the brink of becoming the second German, after Dirk Nowitzki, to claim the hallowed Larry O'Brien Trophy? The Thunder, bolstered by Hartenstein in the starting lineup, have been expected to dominate the competition, but they have struggled substantially in game after game. In the wee hours of Tuesday, the Thunder seized the lead for the first time in the finals, securing a crushing 120-109 victory to establish a 3-2 advantage. As in the fifth game, Hartenstein fired the opening shots of the evening, but the visitors started with an impressive offensive display. The game momentum was abruptly reversed, leaving the Thunder seeming paralyzed with the prospect of making a game-winning play. Indiana managed to convert every answer to the Thunder's attempts to narrow the gap.
The Pacers’ star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who was uncertain to participate due to calf problems, showed marked improvement in his performance compared to the previous game with 4 points. Indiana racked up multiple three-pointers in the first half, while the Thunder’s scoring was dismal, allowing the Pacers to gradually extend their lead. Despite Hartenstein entering the game in the second half, the Thunder failed to find their footing, with the Pacers always finding a solution to the Thunder shrinking the gap. As the second half wore on, it became evident that an NBA title would elude the franchise established in 2008 and previously victorious in 1979 (as the Seattle SuperSonics). With the score standing at 60-90 going into the final quarter, the Thunder’s deplorable three-point shot percentage of 15% (3 of 20) signified the team’s dire shooting night.
Coach Mark Daigneault replaced the Thunder’s starters early in the fourth quarter. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP of the regular season, was the Thunder's top scorer with 21 points, but he also accounted for eight costly turnovers. Hartenstein scored 10 points and secured 4 rebounds for the Thunder. The Pacers’ leading scorer, whose impressive performance staved off elimination in front of their home crowd, was Obi Toppin with 20 points.
Four German players have previously experienced heartbreaking NBA Finals losses: Detlef Schrempf (1996), Nowitzki (2006), Daniel Theis (2022), and Maximilian Kleber (2024). However, this is Hartenstein's chance to rewrite history in the Thunder's arena.
Embrace the tension surrounding the decider, as both teams fight tooth and nail to claim the 2025 NBA championship title. The key players to watch include Tyrese Haliburton, Mark Daigneault, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Isaiah Hartenstein, along with supporting cast members who have demonstrated their value throughout the season. The coaching strategies of Rick Carlisle will also be crucial, as the stakes are higher than ever for the Pacers and the Thunder in the series that defies predictions up to the final moment.
In the upcoming Game 7, the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Isaiah Hartenstein, will aim to continue their pursuit of the NBA championship, as they look to become the second German team to win the coveted Larry O'Brien Trophy. However, the Thunder will need to improve their performance, particularly their struggling three-point shooting, to overcome the Indiana Pacers in the sports spectacle set to unfold on Monday at 02:00 CET on ProSieben MAXX.
