Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder middle Isaiah Hartenstein suffered a nondisplaced fracture in his left hand and can be reevaluated in 5 to 6 weeks, the group 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 anticipated to enhance Oklahoma Metropolis’s rebounding, the Thunder’s most obvious challenge 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 can 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 in opposition to the Chicago Bulls. He turned the primary Knick to put up that stat line or higher since Marcus Camby in 2002.
“Everybody on this league was at all times a scorer at one time. I do know I can rating if I have to,” Hartenstein mentioned. “However, on the finish of the day, I simply do what the group wants. I at all times believed in myself and will play this position. I simply go on the market and play with confidence.”
Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder common supervisor Sam Presti mentioned the group 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 wish 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 may have missed the primary 18 video games of the common season. Within the meantime, the Thunder could need to experiment with their roster. OKC’s frontcourt is skinny due to varied accidents.
Large man Jaylin Williams strained his proper hamstring at the start of this month. Moreover, ahead Kenrich Williams had an arthroscopic debridement process in his proper knee a month in the past. Each can be re-evaluated on the finish of the preseason.
Nonetheless, there’s a risk that neither can be obtainable when the common season begins. Energy ahead Ousmane Dieng, the Thunder’s No. 11 decide within the 2022 draft, may have a chance to be within the rotation.
Bismack Biyombo, who spent the previous few 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.
