Heartwarming Moments at the NBA Finals
In a heartwarming and amusing moment during the NBA Finals trophy ceremony, rookie dad Isaiah Hartenstein from the Oklahoma City Thunder found himself sharing the spotlight with his one-year-old son, Elijah. Although Elijah completely missed the significant event, nestled in his father’s arms after a long day, it’s easy to understand why – he’s just a toddler.
Thunder’s Historic Victory
On Sunday night, the Thunder celebrated their victory in Game 7 against the Indiana Pacers, securing the franchise’s first championship since relocating from Seattle. The final score was a commanding 193-91, with Hartenstein contributing seven points and nine rebounds to the team’s effort. Throughout the Finals, he averaged 5.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. At 27, Hartenstein has recently completed the first year of a lucrative three-year contract worth $87 million with the Thunder.
A Funny Family Moment
As the team accepted their trophy, Elijah managed to steal the show from the podium despite being sound asleep. During the festivities, his dad joked about Elijah’s deep slumber, quipping,
“I don’t know why he’s asleep right now, but I guess it’s not loud enough,”
as he waved to the cheering crowd. This lighthearted comment resonated with many fans, including NBA star Kevin Durant, who humorously noted the scene and other commentators who expressed their jealousy over how peacefully Elijah was sleeping.
Elijah did manage to show signs of life for a brief moment during the celebration, which was enough to give Isaiah a memory to cherish, even if his son won’t recall it later. The family moment underscored the joy of the occasion and the bond between father and son during such a pivotal moment in Hartenstein’s career.
