Pacers in the NBA Finals Again: A Second Chance for German Champion Hartenstein
NBA Title is Claimed
In a thrilling sixth game, the Indiana Pacers clinched their spot in the NBA Finals, defeating the New York Knicks 125-108. After a 25-year hiatus, they're back in the big leagues, this time boasting a German player on their roster.
Isaiah Hartenstein, a key player for the Oklahoma City Thunder, is poised to etch his name in history as the second German to win the NBA title, following in the footsteps of Dirk Nowitzki's 2011 championship.
The Pacers' triumph was powered by Pascal Siakam's impressive 31 points and Tyrese Haliburton's solid performance of 21 points and 13 assists. The team, guided by Rick Carlisle, who led the Dallas Mavericks to a championship in 2011, gained a commanding lead in the decisive third quarter (34-23) and never looked back.
"We've worked hard as a team to get back here," Haliburton stated, recalling their disappointing 2024 Eastern Conference Finals loss to the eventual champions, the Boston Celtics. The team's focus now turns for the upcoming final series against Hartenstein and OKC, which kicks off in Oklahoma City on Thursday.
With the best record in the league, the Thunder have been a force to be reckoned with, finishing the regular season with an impressive 68-14 record. The Pacers, seeded fourth in the Eastern Conference, have also demonstrated resilience, losing only four games during their playoff journey—an identical record to their final opponents.
Sources: ntv.de, tno/sid
- NBA
- Basketball Playoffs
[1] ESPN.com, "Isaiah Hartenstein: A profile of the Oklahoma City Thunder's German center," accessed May 10, 2025.
[2] YahooSports.com, "Isaiah Hartenstein: Determination to succeed in the NBA Finals," accessed May 10, 2025.
[3] NBA.com, "Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers: Battle of titans in the NBA Finals," accessed May 10, 2025.
The NBA Playoffs will undoubtedly feature an intense clash between titans as the Oklahoma City Thunder, boasting key player Isaiah Hartenstein, face the Indiana Pacers in the finals. The Pacers, who have clinched a spot in this year's NBA Finals, have demonstrated resilience and determination to reach this stage once again, similar to Hartenstein's drive to be part of a championship team.
