Story & Photos
By Michael Kinney
The Oklahoma City Thunder came into this week with not only the best record in the Western Conference, but also the second-best mark in the entire league. And no matter what took place on New Year’s Eve, they were going to leave 2024 as one of the elite teams to beat in the NBA in 2025.
Much of the credit will go to MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and budding all-star Jalen Williams (JDub). The dynamic duo have spearheaded the best start to a season in Thunder history.
But some love also needs to be given to some of the new faces on the Oklahoma City squad. With the injury to Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein has become an impact player in the middle in his first year with the franchise.
The 26-year-old Hartenstein is averaging 12.6 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.2 blocks per game. When he’s been in the lineup, the Thunder has racked up a 16-1 record.
Hartenstein showed his usefulness once again on New Year’s Eve when Oklahoma City hosted the Minnesota Timberwolves. Facing former Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, he tallied 15 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots.
“He keeps trying to dunk on me, so I don’t know. It hasn’t worked out so far,” Hartenstein said with a laugh. “But no, he is a great defender. I mean he is a guy that you have to kind of play a little different around. I mean, try to get him more out to paint. He’s one of the best rim protectors in the league, so just trying to get him out the paint, move him a little bit. I think we did a good job of that tonight.”
In the offseason, the Thunder picked up Hartenstein to play behind and alongside Holmgren. But when their prized first-round pick came up with the second major injury of his career, Hartenstein has stepped up to the plate.
He did this despite dealing with his own injury situation that saw him miss the start of the season began. But ever since he returned to action, Hartenstein has fit like a glove in Oklahoma City’s free-flowing, 3-point shooting offense and aggressive defense.
It has been Oklahoma City’s defense that has separated them from other top-tier teams in the NBA. They currently rank No. 1 in scoring defense (103.3), field goal percentage defense (42.5%), opponents field goals made per game (36.2) and attempted per game (85.2).
“I think it starts with Shai and JDub. I think when your top two players on your team are playing high-level defense, I think we all just buy in,” Hartenstein said. “We have an all-defensive player and Lu (Dort) out there the whole time. I think other guys are really good on defense too. So, I think we just all buy in. We’re all committed to helping each other out and I think that’s what makes it special.”
There is no timetable for when or if Holmgren will return this season. The Thunder may have to make a postseason run with just Hartenstein in the middle.
While that was not what he initially signed up for, the Oregon native has adapted well to the new role and embracing everything that comes with it.
“It’s been great. I mean it’s a great organization,” Hartenstein said. “I think even from off the court stuff, Sam (Presti) has done a great job of just welcoming me, welcoming my family, and that’s been super important to me. And then also on the court’s been super easy. The guys play the right way, the guys play great defense and I still think I can keep taking another step and I think that’s something that’s really exciting for me is just coach also sees I can take another step and I think that’s what I’m going to keep striving for.”
Instagram: mkinneymedia
X (Twitter): MKinneyMedia
Youtube: Michael Kinney Media
Photos/Prints (SmugMug): Michael Kinney