German before NBA coronation: Now Hartenstein and the Thunder have match points

The Oklahoma City Thunder are leading the NBA title series for the first time – and are on the verge of crowning glory. German center Isaiah Hartenstein would follow in the footsteps of one of the greatest.

German basketball pro Isaiah Hartenstein and the Oklahoma City Thunder are close to winning the NBA title. OKC won Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers 120-109 at home, taking their first 3-2 lead in the finals series and now holding two match points. Jalen Williams was the standout player with 40 points, while superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 31.

"Today was the exact same game as game one. Only we learned from it and did better, which is what sets this team apart," said Williams, who had six rebounds and four assists. In the first game, Oklahoma had blown a 15-point lead in the final quarter.

Center Hartenstein, who could become the second German professional after Dirk Nowitzki to win the NBA title, played again from the start. Although the 27-year-old scored only four points in just under 21 minutes, he made up for it with eight rebounds. Oklahoma can now clinch the title on Thursday (local time) at the Pacers or three days later at home.

OKC had trailed 0-1 and 1-2 in the series, but now achieved a milestone with their second consecutive win. And they did so convincingly: At 11-12 in the first quarter, Hartenstein and Co. were behind for the last time, and the score was already 59-45 at halftime. Only at 95-93 with eight minutes left did the victory come into doubt.

Pascal Siakam was the Pacers' top scorer with 28 points. However, there are concerns about star Tyrese Haliburton. The point guard, who has been injured since Game 2, left the game in the first quarter with sore right calf, but returned later. He couldn't score more than four points, all of them free throws.

"He's not 100 percent, that's pretty clear," said Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle. "But I don't think he'll miss the next game. We were concerned at halftime, and he insisted he wanted to play... but he's not 100 percent. There are a lot of players in the series who aren't."