Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder middle Isaiah Hartenstein suffered a nondisplaced fracture in his left hand and will probably be reevaluated in 5 to 6 weeks, the crew introduced Thursday.
Isaiah Hartenstein averaged 7.8 factors, career-high 8.3 rebounds with the New York Knicks final season
The 7-foot Hartenstein, who’s left-handed, suffered the damage throughout Tuesday’s preseason recreation in Denver. Oklahoma Metropolis signed Hartenstein to a three-year, $87 million contract in free company this summer season.
Per Spotrac, Hartenstein is slated to earn $30 million in 2024-25, his seventh NBA season. The 26-year-old is predicted to enhance Oklahoma Metropolis’s rebounding, the Thunder’s most obtrusive concern final season.
In 75 video games (49 begins) with the New York Knicks final season, Hartenstein averaged 7.8 factors and profession highs of 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 25.3 minutes whereas taking pictures 64.4% from the sphere and 70.7% on the free throw line.
Thunder say Isaiah Hartenstein suffered a small, non-displaced fracture in his left hand in Tuesday’s preseason recreation in Denver and will probably be re-evaluated in five-to-six weeks.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 17, 2024
Earlier this 12 months, Hartenstein recorded 10 factors, a career-high 20 rebounds, and 5 blocks towards the Chicago Bulls. He grew to become the primary Knick to submit that stat line or higher since Marcus Camby in 2002.
“Everybody on this league was all the time a scorer at one time. I do know I can rating if I must,” Hartenstein mentioned. “However, on the finish of the day, I simply do what the crew wants. I all the time believed in myself and will play this function. I simply go on the market and play with confidence.”
Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder common supervisor Sam Presti mentioned the crew will want time to regulate with this specific group
Throughout a press convention final month, Thunder common supervisor Sam Presti mentioned: “We’re going to want a while with this specific group. … We’re not attempting to wedge [Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso] in or have assumptions of how they’re going to suit with sure gamers. We sort of have to permit that to take its course.”
If Hartenstein is ready to play in six weeks, he can have missed the primary 18 video games of the common season. Within the meantime, the Thunder might need to experiment with their roster. OKC’s frontcourt is skinny due to numerous accidents.
Massive man Jaylin Williams strained his proper hamstring initially of this month. Moreover, ahead Kenrich Williams had an arthroscopic debridement process in his proper knee a month in the past. Each will probably be re-evaluated on the finish of the preseason.
Nonetheless, there’s a chance that neither will probably be obtainable when the common season begins. Energy ahead Ousmane Dieng, the Thunder’s No. 11 decide within the 2022 draft, might have a possibility to be within the rotation.
Bismack Biyombo, who spent the previous couple of months of the 2023-24 season in Oklahoma Metropolis, stays a free agent. The Thunder go to the Denver Nuggets to open the season on Thursday, Oct. 24.
