The Oklahoma City Thunder with the German Isaiah Hartenstein are about to reach the final series again in the NBA playoffs after winning the title last year.
The team around top star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Isaiah Hartenstein won game five against the San Antonio Spurs 127:114 and took a 3-2 lead in the Conference Finals series in the West. Four wins are necessary for overall victory in a series.
Hartenstein with a strong rebound rate
After an even start, OKC scored 40 points in the second quarter alone and set the course for victory. Both teams combined to make 29 free throws in the quarter, which was the most in any NBA game in nearly six years.
Unlike San Antonio’s super talent Victor Wembanyama, who remained below his potential this time, Gilgeous-Alexander managed 32 points despite a weak shooting rate. As a starter, Hartenstein converted six of his eight attempts (twelve points) in just under 30 minutes and contributed a strong 15 rebounds, four assists and a block.
Winner meets the New York Knicks
The Spurs have the chance to equalize the series in the home game on Friday night (May 29, 2026, 2:30 a.m. CEST). If they do that, the decisive game seven will take place on Sunday night in Oklahoma City.
The winner from the West will face the New York Knicks in the finals, who won the Conference Finals in the East against Dennis Schröder’s Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0.
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