Oklahoma City Thunder fans, brace yourselvesโIsaiah Hartenstein is out with a hand injury, and it’s time to see how the team will adapt!
Thunder’s New Big Man Takes a Hit
So, here’s the scoop: Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder’s shiny new center, busted his left hand during a preseason clash in Denver. It’s a nondisplaced fracture, which sounds fancy but basically means he’ll be sitting out for five to six weeks. Not ideal, right? Especially since OKC just snagged him with a juicy three-year, $87 million deal. That’s some serious cheddar for a guy who was supposed to beef up their rebounding game. But hey, injuries happen.
From Knicks to Thunder: Hartenstein’s Journey
Before landing in Oklahoma City, Hartenstein was putting up decent numbers with the Knicksโaveraging 7.8 points and hitting career highs in rebounds and assists. Remember that game against the Bulls where he dropped 10 points, snagged 20 boards, and blocked five shots? Yeah, that’s the kind of hustle we’re hoping to see once he’s back on the court. He even said, “I know I can score if I need to,” but he’s all about doing what the team needs. Gotta love a player with that mindset.
Thunder’s Frontcourt Dilemma
OKC’s got some decisions to make with Hartenstein sidelined. General Manager Sam Presti mentioned they need time to gel this new squad, which includes Alex Caruso. But with Jaylin Williams nursing a hamstring strain and Kenrich Williams recovering from knee surgery, the frontcourt’s looking pretty thin. Maybe it’s time for Ousmane Dieng, their 2022 draft pick, to step up. Or perhaps they’ll bring back Bismack Biyombo, who’s still floating around as a free agent. The Thunder better figure it out quick, ’cause they’re kicking off the season against the Nuggets soon.
Thunder say Isaiah Hartenstein suffered a small, non-displaced fracture in his left hand in Tuesdayโs preseason game in Denver and will be re-evaluated in five-to-six weeks.
โ Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
Now, in my opinion, OKC’s gotta get creative with their lineup. Maybe throw Dieng into the fire and see if he can handle the heat. After all, pressure makes diamonds, right?
So, what’s your take? Can the Thunder weather this storm, or is this just the beginning of a rocky season? Let me know what you think!
