Oklahoma City Thunder Win NBA Title, Isaiah Hartenstein Second German Champion

The Oklahoma City Thunder won the 2024-25 NBA Championship by defeating the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in a decisive Game 7, marking the franchise's first title since relocating to Oklahoma City and the second in its history following the 1979 Seattle SuperSonics championship. Isaiah Hartenstein, a former New York Knicks center, played a key role in the victory, fulfilling a personal dream and becoming the second German player to win an NBA title after Dirk Nowitzki in 2011. The Thunder's star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named Finals MVP after scoring 29 points and delivering 12 assists in the final game. The Pacers suffered a major setback when their leader Tyrese Haliburton sustained a serious Achilles tendon injury early in the game, which impacted their performance. Hartenstein contributed significantly with seven points and nine rebounds, helping Oklahoma City improve their rebounding and achieve a franchise-best 68 wins during the season. The championship also included contributions from former Knicks staff and players connected to the Thunder organization.