After winning three games in a row after Chet Holmgren's injury, with remarkable defense despite the lack of size, the Thunder were starting to tire. The team thus remained on two defeats in a row, and this is why the return ofIsaiah Hartenstein against the Blazers was crucial.
The former Knicks pivot had a solid game with 13 points, 14 rebounds, 4 blocks and 3 assists in 29 minutes. “I feel really good. It was the first time I missed so much time. Just playing, helping the team, it was great.”, he comments.
As he kept himself in good physical shape during his absence, he did not appear to be lacking pace. “I was with the team, I wasn’t passed out in the wild”he smiles, talking about his automatisms with his new teammates. “There are still things to work on together but for a first match, it was good. »
And, by chance of the calendar, he has four days before the Thunder's next game, Monday against the Kings. It is ” Perfect “ – that’s his word – to recover and slowly enter his season.
His presence will relieve the Thunder
As for his teammates, we welcomed the presence of a real pivot with pleasure. “We are more comfortable knowing that he is defending in front of the circle”underlines Jalen Williams, who specifies that this should not “serve as an excuse not to defend on the perimeter”. Furthermore, he adds that, like Isaiah Hartenstein “won’t be on the field all the time”then a “part of our small-ball playing principles still need to be applied”.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander believes the pivot “changed the game with his rebounds, his protection of the rim, his intelligence”. “It makes things easier for everyone. We don't feel like we need an adjustment period.”continues the Canadian. Jalen Williams agrees. “He sticks to our system and the few mistakes he made, lost balls, it was because he wanted to make a good pass. »
Orphaned by a large interior, the Thunder can finally smile. “We struggled for a week without an interior, so we’re happy to have it”confirms coach Mark Daigneault, who remains patient with Isaiah Hartenstein. “He was good. He brought energy. There are 66 matches left to play so, when a player returns at this time, we are not focused on his individual performance. The important thing is his return, his reintegration. »
| Isaiah Hartenstein | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | HOU | 28 | 8 | 48.8 | 33.3 | 78.6 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 1.9 |
| 2019-20 | HOU | 23 | 12 | 65.7 | 0.0 | 67.9 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 3.9 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 4.7 |
| 2020-21 * | All Teams | 46 | 12 | 55.0 | 33.3 | 64.8 | 1.4 | 2.5 | 3.9 | 1.2 | 2.3 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 5.1 |
| 2020-21 * | DEN | 30 | 9 | 51.3 | 0.0 | 61.1 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 3.5 |
| 2020-21 * | KEY | 16 | 18 | 58.2 | 33.3 | 68.6 | 1.6 | 4.4 | 6.0 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 8.2 |
| 2021-22 | LAKE | 68 | 18 | 62.6 | 46.7 | 68.9 | 1.7 | 3.2 | 4.9 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 8.3 |
| 2022-23 | NYK | 82 | 20 | 53.5 | 21.6 | 67.6 | 2.5 | 4.0 | 6.5 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 5.0 |
| 2023-24 | NYK | 75 | 25 | 64.4 | 33.3 | 70.7 | 3.3 | 5.1 | 8.3 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 7.8 |
| 2024-25 | OKC | 1 | 36 | 35.7 | 66.7 | 100.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 10.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 15.0 |
| Total | 323 | 18 | 59.4 | 32.2 | 69.1 | 2.1 | 3.5 | 5.6 | 1.7 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 6.1 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
