Oklahoma City Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein Aims to Follow Dirk Nowitzki as Second German NBA Champion
Oklahoma City Thunder's Hartenstein participates in NBA Championships - Oklahoma City Thunder opposes Hartenstein in NBA Finals competition.
The Oklahoma City Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein is poised to make history in the NBA Finals, potentially becoming the second German after Dirk Nowitzki to win the championship.
In a convincing performance, the Thunder defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-94 in the fifth game of the series, securing the necessary fourth win in the Western Conference Finals. The upcoming opponents in the NBA Finals will be either the Indiana Pacers or the New York Knicks, with the Pacers currently leading their series 3-1. Oklahoma City will host the first game on June 5.
Thunder's coach Mark Daigneault commended his team, stating, "This team is doing everything right. They are professionals with great character." In a lighter moment, he jokingly added, "And they're a bunch of idiots," as his players teased him.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, named the most valuable player of the Western Conference Finals, scored 34 points, along with 8 assists and 7 rebounds. Addressing fans, he said, "Buckle up and get ready."
Hartenstein's contribution in the game included 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks. The last German before him in the NBA Finals was Maxi Kleber, who lost with the Dallas Mavericks against the Boston Celtics last season.
Hartenstein joined the Thunder on a major contract during the 2024 offseason, signing a three-year, $87 million deal, the largest free-agent contract in franchise history. His arrival filled specific team weaknesses and added key skills that the Thunder lacked previously.
Hartenstein's presence helped improve the Thunder's defense and rebounding, contributing to their success in the playoffs. He averaged career-high 11.2 points on 60.5% two-point shooting and 3.8 assists per game during the regular season. In the playoffs, he maintained efficient scoring and good playmaking, often facilitating offense through screening and short-roll playmaking.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander praised Hartenstein as a "big-time playmaker on both ends of the floor and in the locker room," highlighting his value beyond just stats and underscoring his leadership and fit within the team culture.
With Hartenstein's contributions, the Thunder achieved the best regular season record at 68-14 and advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012. This marks the fifth overall appearance for the team, including their time as the Seattle SuperSonics. Nowitzki remains the only German player to win an NBA championship, having led the Dallas Mavericks to the title in 2011. With Hartenstein in the NBA Finals, he has a real opportunity to become the second German NBA champion, continuing the legacy of German players making an impact in the league.
I'm not going to be a big fan of this high-stakes basketball showdown, but I can't help but be excited for Isaiah Hartenstein's potential to become the second German NBA champion, following in the footsteps of Dirk Nowitzki. Hartenstein's impact on the Oklahoma City Thunder, particularly in their formidable defensive efforts and rebounding, has been instrumental in securing their place in the NBA Finals.
