Thunder's Collapse: Unraveling the Pacers' Rout in Game 6 of the NBA Finals
Hardenstein's Thunder experiences a crushing defeat, leaving them with a win-or-lose situation.
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link In a shocking turn of events, the OKC Thunder choked away their first match point in the NBA Finals, squandering a 3-2 series lead against the Indiana Pacers.
Stripped of the first championship title since Dirk Nowitzki's triumph with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011, German center Isaiah Hartenstein finds himself in a make-or-break situation. Centered in an underperforming team, the Thunder faltered in Indiana, falling short 108:91 in Game 6. Bound for a do-or-die Game 7 on Monday (02:00 CEST, ProSieben MAXX).
With the opportunity to etch his name alongside Nowitzki in NBA history, Hartenstein instead found himself grappling with nerves. Tied 3-3, the series is on a knife's edge, setting the stage for an electric conclusion.
The Finals saw the Thunder seize the lead for the first time in a climactic Game 5, securing the match balls with a 120:109 triumph in front of their home crowd. Just as they had done in Game 4, Hartenstein opened the scoring for OKC. However, the Pacers kicked off the game with gusto, stealing a 10:2 lead in the early minutes (4th minute).
The Pacers' star Tyrese Haliburton, initially doubtful due to a strained right calf, ignited the home crowd with his scorching performance, setting the tone for Indiana with 4 points in the initial minutes. Per usual, the Pacers connected on numerous three-point attempts, while the Thunder struggled to find their range.
Crushed by the Pacers' offensive onslaught, Hartenstein and the Thunder trailed by a hefty margin at half-time (42:64). Particularly abysmal was their three-point shooting performance, a pathetic 15% (3 out of 20) from long range. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault made the bold move to sub out his starters ahead of the fourth quarter.
Paralyzed by the pressure of the match point, OKC stagnated in Indianapolis in front of 17,274 exhilarated spectators. Hartenstein joined the fray in the second half but notably failed to score until over five minutes had elapsed. Indiana maintained control of the game, Countering every comeback attempt from the shell-shocked Thunder.
Following a woeful third quarter, it was evident that Oklahoma City's road to the championship would not be completed this evening. With the score 60:90 before the final quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander led the way for the Thunder with 21 points, committing 8 of the team's 21 turnovers. Hartenstein recorded 10 points and 4 rebounds for the struggling Thunder, while Toppin spearheaded the Pacers' attack with 20 points.
In total, four Germans have previously missed the opportunity to claim the NBA Championship: Detlef Schrempf in 1996, Nowitzki in 2006, Daniel Theis in 2022, and Maximilian Kleber in 2024. However, if Hartenstein can steady the Thunder ship on their home court, he'll prevent his own failure in the NBA Finals.
Source: ntv.de, ter/sid
When NBA Goliaths collide, the battle of supremacy commences - The"A Horrible Idea" Clash of Super Leagues? as the NBA courts Europe with expansionist ambitions, causing alarm among European leagues[2].
[1] ntvd.de, Terry Spry, 06/20/2025
[2] derwesten.de, Raphael Krain, 06/12/2025
[3] sportskeeda.com, Jack Sinclair, 06/14/2025
[4] espn.com, Jake Windeler, 06/17/2025
In the midst of the NBA Finals, the Thunder's unexpected loss in Game 6 against the Pacers has put the championship title on the line for Isaiah Hartenstein, as they prepare for a decisive Game 7. Hartenstein's poor performance, coupled with the team's underperformance, has left them in a vulnerable position. The pressure will be high for Hartenstein to step up and guide the Thunder to victory in basketball playoffs, avoiding the fate shared by other German players who missed the NBA Championship in the past.
