As the Oklahoma City Thunder prepare for their first potential championship clincher in franchise history, center Isaiah Hartenstein emphasized one thing repeatedly: stay present, stay desperate.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday ahead of Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers, Hartenstein stressed the team’s commitment to consistency rather than celebration.

“We’re not looking too far ahead,” Hartenstein said. “We’re really focused on: let’s play this Game 6.”

The Thunder lead the series 3-2 after Monday’s 120-109 victory, powered by Jalen Williams’ career-best 40 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 31-point, 10-assist performance.

Despite the advantage, Hartenstein made clear that Oklahoma City’s approach remains unchanged.

“We’re not acting like we already won something,” he said. “Again, it’s the first of four, not the first of three.”

The 7-footer, who had four points and six rebounds in 20 minutes during Game 5, praised the team’s attention to detail on both ends. He acknowledged that previous mistakes, when analyzed on film, helped clean up defensive coverages.

“There was a lot of stuff we could have improved from the game before,” Hartenstein said. “We left a lot of points on the table.”

When asked about handling pregame anxiety, Hartenstein credited the team’s mindset.

“We still want to come out with the same desperation as the Pacers are going to come out with,” he said. “That kind of takes away the anxiety.”

Indiana will again be dealing with questions surrounding Tyrese Haliburton’s availability. The All-Star guard was limited to four points on 0-of-6 shooting in Game 5 while battling a leg injury.

Hartenstein said the Thunder aren’t taking anything for granted.

“We’re preparing like he’s going to play,” he noted. “If he doesn’t, we’re ready regardless.”

He also pointed to the team’s broader culture, attributing its mental resilience to past adversity.

“If you look at everyone on our team, we’ve all been through adversity,” Hartenstein said, referencing teammates like Alex Caruso and Lu Dort, both of whom entered the league undrafted or on two-way contracts.

The 27-year-old also reflected on his own journey — a second-round pick who played in the G-League, was traded multiple times, and had to redefine his role.

“There’s a lot of figuring out, changing roles, figuring out how to establish yourself in the NBA,” he said. “You have to let the ego go and do what’s best for your career.”

Oklahoma City’s organizational philosophy, Hartenstein added, helped unify the roster.

“Everyone being egoless kind of maybe excels everything,” he said. “But again, our job isn’t finished.”

Game 6 tips off Thursday night in Indianapolis, where the Thunder will have their first opportunity to clinch the NBA title. Teams that take a 3-2 lead in a tied Finals have gone on to win the series 82% of the time.

Hartenstein’s message remains simple and focused.

“Let’s go through the ups and downs through the Game 6,” he said, “but also just establish it early and come out with that physical mentality.”