Thunder Center Out Multiple Weeks

The Oklahoma City Thunder will be without big man Isaiah Hartenstein for multiple weeks after he suffered an injury in Tuesdays NBA Preseason game against the Denver Nuggets.

Oct 9, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) gestures after a play against the Houston Rockets during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images / Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

While the Oklahoma City Thunder are viewed as contenders - including as the odds on favorites to win the Western Conference - the ride to the postseason will not be smooth. Before the season even began, Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams were sidelined with a hamstring and knee injury respectively. 

Then, on Thursday, the Thunder got their biggest blow to date and their biggest injury in two years. 

After signing Isaiah Hartenstein to a massive three year 87 million dollar pact, the OKC Thunder saw him dominate in three preseason games fitting the team’s system like a glove and showing why he was a necessary add to help improve the Bricktown ballers front court depth. 

However, Thursday offered devastating news ahead of the OKC Thunder’s final preseason game. Hartenstein sustained a small, non-displaced fracture in his left hand during the second half of Tuesday’s preseason game in Denver. The seven footer will be re-evaluated in five to six weeks, according to the team. 

It is always important to note that re-evaluation date is not always a return date so it is safe to say the Thunder will need the weather a storm without their big ticket offseason addition, especially if either Williams big man has a set back. 

Dillon Jones and Ousmane Dieng will also be called on to help get through this stretch - as well as Oklahoma City leaning on small ball. 

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