Isaiah Hartenstein’s return to action came at a crucial time for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
With star center Chet Holmgren sidelined by a fractured pelvis, Hartenstein has become a pivotal player for the Thunder. He aims to build on his strong season debut when Oklahoma City visits the Sacramento Kings on Monday night.
Hartenstein missed the Thunder’s first 15 games due to a broken left hand. However, he excelled in his return against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, scoring 13 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, and blocking four shots in 29 minutes off the bench during his team’s 109-99 victory.
Hartenstein was acquired as a free agent in the offseason with a lucrative three-year, $87 million contract. This big payday came after he started a career-high 49 games with the New York Knicks last season, averaging 7.8 points and a career-best 8.3 rebounds.
Originally signed to be a supporting frontcourt player, Hartenstein’s role will expand with Holmgren expected to be out for approximately two more months after being injured against the Golden State Warriors on November 10.
Jalen Williams, who has been filling in on the interior alongside Hartenstein and in Holmgren’s absence, had a strong first impression of his new teammate. He noted that Hartenstein was diligently working while waiting for his hand to heal.
Monday’s game marks the beginning of a stretch in which the Thunder play 10 of their next 12 games on the road.
Sacramento, meanwhile, has dropped a season-worst three straight games, following a 108-103 loss to the visiting Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night.
The Kings allowed 19 three-pointers—13 in the first half—and committed 16 turnovers that led to 24 Brooklyn points.
De’Aaron Fox scored 31 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the field and has topped 30 points in three of the past five games. He is averaging 39.4 points during this stretch, including a franchise-record 60 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 15.
However, in the fourth quarter against the Nets, Fox took just three shots (missing all) and scored only one point. Sacramento was outscored 20-15 in the period, shooting 6-of-23 from the field and missing all seven three-point attempts.
DeMar DeRozan (18 points) went 3-of-8 in the quarter, and Domantas Sabonis (13 points, 18 rebounds) went 1-of-6.
The teams split their four matchups last season.
