Hartenstein leads Thunder to NBA title: historic victory after 14 years!

Hartenstein leads Thunder to NBA title: historic victory after 14 years!

On June 23, 2025, the Oklahoma City Thunder can celebrate: They have won the 2023 NBA championship. In an exciting seventh game, they beat the Indiana Pacers 103:91 and celebrated their second championship title in franchise history. Previously, the last championship was won in 1979 as the Seattle SuperSonics. This new achievement is particularly noteworthy as it is only the 20th time in NBA history that a finals game has lasted all seven games. NBA.com also highlights that the Thunder won an impressive 68 regular season games during the season, making them a force to be reckoned with in the league.

With this championship, Isaiah Hartenstein follows in the footsteps of Dirk Nowitzki and becomes only the second German basketball professional to become a champion. Hartenstein played a crucial role in his team's success after Oklahoma City signed him to a three-year contract worth $87 million. The German native previously had a strong season with the New York Knicks and is now viewed as a key player for the Thunder. This makes the team an important part of the NBA scene.

The exciting course of the finale

The final game was played under great tension as the Indiana Pacers led 48-47 at halftime. Despite both teams' poor shooting percentages, Oklahoma City demonstrated its dominance in the third quarter. They set the course with an impressive 34:20 quarter, which gave them a 13-point lead at the final quarter break. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who shone with 29 points and 12 assists, was not only voted the game's best shooter, but also MVP of the Finals. This crowned an outstanding season in which he was previously named MVP of the main round.

Tyrese Haliburton's injury, which happened five minutes before the end of the first quarter, was another turning point in the game. Haliburton, a key player for the Pacers, was already dealing with a damaged calf before injuring his Achilles tendon. His absence caused a great silence in the arena and obviously had an impact on both the Pacers' style of play and the mood of the fans.

The future of teams

The Pacers now have to deal with an uncertain future while the Thunder have a bright outlook. With an average age of 25.6 years, the team is the second youngest to win the title in the last 70 years. Additionally, all rotation players are signed for next season, and they have 13 first-round draft picks over the next seven years. This gives them the opportunity to establish themselves as leaders in modern NBA basketball by breaking away from the trend of super teams.

The team, led by general manager Sam Presti, has undergone a remarkable turnaround since trading Paul George in 2019. The Thunder's defense was the best in the league this season, which contributed significantly to their success. So the future looks more than bright for the Oklahoma City Thunder, while the Pacers have to hope to get back on their feet quickly.

Overall, Oklahoma City's championship not only marks a triumphant achievement on the court, but also represents the beginning of a new era in basketball that excites fans and experts alike. How ZVW reports, the franchise has found its return to the top while establishing a strong connection to German basketball history.

Basketball has offered a lot this season and the memories of these exciting games will stay with fans for a long time.