Isaiah Hartenstein, the former center for the New York Knicks, will need to hold off on his regular season debut with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The team announced Thursday that he sustained a minor, non-displaced fracture in his left hand during Tuesday’s preseason matchup against the Denver Nuggets. He is expected to be re-evaluated in 5-6 weeks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
This is certainly a significant setback for both Hartenstein and the Thunder as a whole. Oklahoma City has championship ambitions for this season and was counting on having a strong frontcourt with Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren. Now, they’ll be missing a key big man for an extended period. Prior to the injury, Hartenstein showcased impressive versatility during the preseason, averaging seven points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, one block, and one steal per game over three games. His presence was anticipated to elevate the Thunder’s performance as they aim for a title, making them one of the favorites in the Western Conference this season.
Hartenstein signed a three-year, $87 million deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder this offseason after spending the last two seasons with the Knicks. Last season marked a breakout year for the seven-footer, which led to his significant payday in free agency. He stepped into the starting role after Mitchell Robinson’s injury earlier in the season and held onto that position the entire time. In the previous regular season, Hartenstein averaged 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds (a career-high), 2.5 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game. He was a vital contributor to the Knicks’ success, making this latest injury a big blow for the Thunder. The hope is that he can get back on the court as soon as possible.
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