Hartenstein takes New York with him
World champion Wagner dives for the ball and injures a fan
April 23, 2024, 6:01 a.m
Moritz and Franz Wagner played in the NBA playoffs twice, each time with one defeat. Moritz Wagner even risks his health. Things are going well for another German: Isaiah Hartenstein is causing great celebration with an action.
Basketball world champion Moritz Wagner’s full physical effort was not enough for the Orlando Magic to win in the second playoff game either. In the 86:96 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Franz Wagner’s older brother even threw himself into a fan in the front row while fighting for the ball with five minutes left, allowing his team to score a basket. The older man appeared to have injured his upper arm; Wagner later asked how he was doing. Despite the 12-0 run, it wasn’t enough for the Magic to make a comeback.
Franz Wagner recorded 18 points, Moritz Wagner had 12 points. In the end, the center had too many fouls and was not allowed to finish the game. The Magic’s top scorer was once again Paolo Banchero (21 points), the Cavs could rely on “Spida” Donovan Mitchell (23). As in the first game, Orlando had great difficulties, especially in attack, only nine of 35 three-point attempts went in and the hit rate was only 36.3 percent. In the series, Orlando is now carrying a 0:2 mortgage.
Isaiah Hartenstein and the New York Knicks, on the other hand, achieved their second victory in a tough duel with the Philadelphia 76ers. The German center Hartenstein played a huge part in the 104:101. With 47 seconds left, the Knicks were five points behind (96:101), then Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo turned the game around with two three-pointers, and OG Anunoby made the final score with two successful free throws. During the 76ers’ following attack, Hartenstein spectacularly blocked a layup by Tyrese Maxey. The completely enthusiastic fans in Madison Square Garden celebrated the German frenetically after the action.
Hartenstein started as a center, and with 14 points and eight rebounds, the 25-year-old just missed a double-double. The top thrower for the hosts at Madison Square Garden was Brunson (24), the Sixers came up short despite strong performances from Tyrese Maxey (35) and league MVP Joel Embiid (34).