We have a new German NBA champion.
I needed a few days to be able to write these lines and organize my thoughts.
Too much has happened in this Finals series between the Indiana Pacers and the OKC Thunder that no one saw coming — and its impact, what it did to me and how it made my love for basketball grow even deeper.
The following lines are not meant to be me patting myself on the back, but to draw attention to where we stand with German NBA journalism and what hurdles us women in sports journalism so often face.
I am the first German woman to practice NBA journalism on site in the USA. I started four years ago and have been accredited for three years, with an outlet behind me. I didn’t get here through connections or financial support from the outlet, but through conviction and hard work — that my initiative and my own financial investment, whether or not it will ever pay off financially, are worth it, just to have the chance to report on the sport I love so much, the sport that has shaped and carried me.
And what can I say: When you’re the first German voice allowed to ask Isaiah Hartenstein what it means to him to be the second German after Dirk Nowitzki to become an NBA champion — then every sleepless night, every euro, every sexist remark like “You’re only here because you’re a quota woman,” every disrespectful message, whether openly or behind the scenes, trying again and again to hit you like an arrow, was worth it to keep going.
This is not meant to be a reckoning either, but a reality I live every day. My life is 100 percent dedicated to this sport so I can write these lines here. And for that I am grateful every single day. That on the one hand the big mountains are a part of it, that you have to overcome, but also on the other hand, all these wonderful people, like you, who read my articles and appreciate my reports — and who made it possible for me to cover this incredibly strong Pacers-vs.-OKC series.
06/19/2025 – Indiana Game 6
Hardly anyone even believed there would be a Game 6. And if so, then certainly not a blowout by the Pacers with a lead of up to plus 30 points at times. We saw a Pacers team that kept finding a way to neutralize the Thunder’s strengths at just the right moment. A tough defense fighting for every possession, carried by a sea of Indiana fans’ voices that gave you goosebumps over and over again. Every time I thought you couldn’t expect more from a fanbase, I was proven wrong.
The streets again so flooded with dance and song that you didn’t even bother trying to call an Uber. By now, no one had any doubt that the Pacers were on equal footing with the Thunder.
We got a Game 7 — only the 20th Game 7 in NBA history and the first in nine years, last time in 2016.
What a Game 7 really means only truly hit me in depth when I prepared for the game that morning. You can talk and speculate a lot from the outside, but you don’t really understand it until you’re right in the middle of it, traveling along for these two and a half weeks of the Finals. All those nights with barely any sleep, suitcase open, suitcase closed. Every little story. The players you didn’t pay much attention to in the regular season — and now you have the time to dive so much deeper into each one. All the moving stories behind every single player that brought him to this point where he gets to play in the Finals. Filled with all these experiences you stand before Game 7 — knowing that one of these two teams, that has grown so close to your heart in these 17 days, will lift the trophy, and the other will go home as the loser. First the preseason, then 82 regular season games, 16 playoff games, and 7 Finals games. Eight months later — and only one winner. All my respect to every player — the mental strength it takes to deliver even in Game 7 only really hit me that very morning.
Full of anticipation I arrived at the Paycom Center three hours before tip-off. The atmosphere would remain unmatched. Until the moment that would leave us all in a state of shock.
After barely seven minutes played and already nine points scored, with three out of four threes burried, a seemingly unstoppable Haliburton and the impossible suddenly seemed within reach — Pacers in 7 — and then the moment no one wishes on anyone: Hali goes for a drive. The same movement pattern we’ve already seen as the trigger for Achilles tendon injuries — like Damian Lillard’s and Jayson Tatum’s. Within seconds it was pretty clear to everyone what had happened. The arena fell silent. The Pacers huddled protectively around Tyrese. In that moment I had to hold back my tears. You fought so hard to stand here — and that’s how it’s supposed to end? Immediately I felt transported back to 2019, Game 5 of the Finals Warriors vs. Raptors, when KD tore his Achilles too.
After the timeout it actually seemed more like OKC was struggling more to get back into the game.
Through T.J. McConnell, the smallest player on the court who became the biggest X-factor, the Pacers were able to stay in the game. His fighting spirit — giving everything, whether scoring, assist, rebound, steal, or block. Also a Pascal Siakam who still doesn’t get enough respect for what he does — but in the end it shouldn’t be enough. OKC prevailed and deservedly became NBA champion 2024/25. I have never felt so torn between joy and sadness.
The joy for the second-youngest NBA team in history to win the title, with very strong German representation by Isaiah Hartenstein, who even got to start in the Finals. And on the other hand a Pacers team with a ten-man rotation in the Finals, always the next-man-up mentality, that no one thought could be an equal opponent for OKC.
This series stands for the beginning of a new era: no more Big-Three-superstar teams, but teams that stand for team basketball, tough defense, next-man-up, and a larger player rotation in the Finals. Development of players from their own ranks and not just buying star players.
With all these emotions I made my way down for the post-game coverage.
On my way, I slowly realized what I had just been part of. I could hardly wait to see Isaiah and ask him how he was feeling. It’s crazy what it means to you, even though you weren’t on the court yourself.
We had to wait a few more minutes in front of the locker room until we were finally allowed in. I was curious to see what it would be like here in OKC, after having covered the Nuggets’ first championship and the Celtics’ 18th title. What I had learned so far from OKC was how much they protect their players and you only get very limited access. Which would continue like a common thread here as well.
By the time we were in the locker room, the biggest moments were already over — as sad as that is on the one hand, because you’d love to capture more special moments, I’m so happy for the team and the players that they get to experience this moment completely undisturbed, without having to worry about what the press will make of it in the end. We still caught Lu Dort, who answered a few questions for us before he too was directed to the podium by the PR team. On my search for Isaiah I met Chet on the court, whom I asked what it means to him to be able to prove so many people wrong who always say it takes years of losing and experience to win a title — and now they are the second-youngest team in NBA history.
“Doesn’t matter, tomorrow they’ll find something new to talk about,” Holmgren said. “Today we celebrate, tomorrow we get back to work.”
Which he’s probably right about. Let’s see what the new season brings. On I went looking for Isaiah — then finally I found him. The PR team has always done a great job making sure that we as the German contingent still get enough time to talk to him separately.
Then the moment came and I could finally ask Isaiah:
“How does it feel to be the second German after Dirk Nowitzki to win the NBA title now?”
Isaiah responded as follows:
“Incredible. What I’ve been through in my career, to be here now and to do this for Germany too is something special. I think with Dirk it’s always hard to be mentioned in the same sentence – he’s one of the best of all time. But now to win a title as the second German is something really special.
You never know when it’s really over. When we were leading, I thought: ‘Hey, we really did it.’ It was a long season. The Pacers were a strong team. And it was just unbelievable. I think we heard it all season: We’re too young. In the regular season we were too young, in the playoffs we were too young – and now we just proved everyone wrong.
That’s really something special. Just hearing that ‘Germany’ when you come in – that’s hard to describe. One of my goals was always: to show as many young people as possible that it’s possible. Dirk showed you can make it. That’s also one of the reasons why I invested in Ulm.
“Young Isaiah” – He had so much self-confidence and believed you can make it — but now I can really say: I made it. I sacrificed so much. My family saw that, my mother. It was only basketball. And that self-confidence is something many people in Germany don’t understand. Just being here is something special. And I just want to help develop basketball in Germany further.
Many Germans think I don’t see myself as German. But I want to give back as much as possible. That’s sometimes difficult, also with the national team. Many people don’t know I’ve now played 105 games. But I want to try to give back as much as possible in Germany. That’s why I’m doing this iHart event in Ulm – so people get something out of it.”
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I also had the pleasure of talking to his mom, dad, and sister. Such a wonderful family. Their kind words and support for my work were the perfect ending. At this point I can only recommend you mark your calendar for August 4th in Ulm for the iHart event, which is a charity event and whose entire proceeds will be invested in promoting basketball in Germany. I will definitely be there too.
What else is left to say: A season comes to an end for which I couldn’t be more grateful. So many wonderful people on my path who make it possible for me to keep giving you more insights and stories about the most beautiful sport. So many ideas are emerging for what we can launch next season.
So many exciting storylines – will the Thunder manage a back-to-back title after years? Will Dennis get a new contract with the Pistons? A whole new look for the Orlando Magic – will Franz make the All-Star team next season? How much playing time will Tristan get? What will happen with Maxi in L.A.?
And of course, two days ago we had „Flagg Day“! Cooper Flagg with the Mavericks! And I’ll be in Las Vegas to cover the first week of Summer League for you. The first time for me seeing Cooper live – and very likely we’ll see Bronny James playing again too. There’s only one thing left to say: Thank you, a thousand thanks to all of you. Every kind message, every objective feedback. Thanks also to Len Werle, the best editor you could wish for. Thanks to basketball, which fills my heart with so much joy, and above all to my family, without whom I couldn’t do any of this, who support me in everything. To the entire NBA PR team, who are always there to help and advise me — and most important: to my God, my Savior, who gives me all the strength, who is the source I live from, and who prepares the way for me.
I’m looking forward to Summer League.
Until then,
Your Flight Girl
