Isaiah

Hartenstein

This was an ugly game for the Thunder, but Hartenstein was able to be one of the lone bright spots. Though it won’t count in fantasy basketball, Hartenstein continues to be a walking double-double as the starting center in OKC. This was only their second loss with Hartenstein available to play, but he certainly wasn’t the one to blame for the result. They’ll be back in action on Thursday in Orlando, which will be the first leg of a back-to-back for them.

Hartenstein’s streak of games with at least 12 rebounds was snapped on Saturday, but he established a new season-high with 21 points. The Thunder center has been elite on the glass since returning from a broken hand, reaching double digits in eight of his ten games. Hartenstein currently provides top-75 per-game value in 8- and 9-cat formats, exceeding his Yahoo ADP (82). Oklahoma City plays three games in Week 8, beginning with Tuesday’s NBA Cup final against Milwaukee.

Due to his hand injury before the season began, Hartenstein has only played nine games for the Thunder. However, he’s fit in seamlessly, filling the void left by the injured Chet Holmgren. Hartenstein is up to seven double-doubles in nine games, three shy of his total for the 2023-24 campaign. He’s providing 6th-round value in 8- and 9-cat formats, exceeding his Yahoo ADP (82).

Hartenstein is more than capable of scoring, but he doesn’t always need to. That was the case in this game, but he was still able to make a huge impact in this game. Hartenstein started off his OKC tenure with five straight double-doubles, but over their last two games, he has scored a total of six points. That’s mostly due to some lopsided scores, which tend to happen for a team as good as OKC. Hartenstein should continue to shine as they wrap up the week in New Orleans on Saturday.

Hartenstein has been everything the Thunder hoped he would be when they signed him during the summer. He’s filled the void left by the injured Chet Holmgren, providing excellent value on both ends of the floor. Hartenstein has been a 5th-round player since his return from a hand injury, ranking just outside the top-50.

Hartenstein briefly left the game with a back injury, but still managed to play 37 minutes. The big man has been exactly what the Thunder needed so far in his return as the team is 4-0 with him in the lineup. Oklahoma City is 12-1 when either he or Chet Holmgren play as the team lacks size without either of them. Hartenstein has a double-double in all four games he’s played so far this year and will continue to play an important role for the Thunder.

Hartenstein made just his second start of the season Wednesday. He was all over the boards as he pulled down 14 rebounds and was efficient on the offensive end with 14 points on eight shots. Hartenstein also dished out three assists. After coming back from a long layoff due to injury, he looks like the same player he was in 2023 with the Knicks. Hartenstein should continue to start and play an important role in the absence of Chet Holmgren.

Due to the need to match up with Domantas Sabonis, Hartenstein made his first start as a member of the Thunder on Monday. Lack of defensive stats aside, this performance looked like many of his efforts with the Knicks last season. Hartenstein was efficient as a scorer and also provided value in the form of actual and “screen assists.” With Chet Holmgren (hip) out for the foreseeable future, Hartenstein will be a crucial figure for the Thunder moving forward.

The Thunder have been willing to begin games without a true center, but Monday’s matchup has sparked a change. Hartenstein will start due to the need to match up with Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis. Cason Wallace heads to the bench, rejoining a second unit that will include Isaiah Joe after he missed two games due to injury.

Hartenstein missed the beginning of the season with a fractured left hand, but made his return Wednesday, which was ahead of schedule. He came off the bench and played 29 minutes, but could end up starting in the near future. Hartenstein was pretty much the same player he was on the Knicks last year as he pulled down 14 rebounds and blocked four shots in his OKC debut. He was +16 in 29 minutes in the 10-point win. Hartenstein should only improve on this performance as he gets his legs back under him and eventually moves into the starting lineup.