Isaiah Hartenstein’s stock is still somehow rising with the OKC Thunder

November 28, 2024

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – It was worth a second try.

Isaiah Hartenstein fell, pushed by De’Aaron Fox. As he almost hit his face, the big man threw a ball behind him. At least a general environment. A space he knew would be occupied.

Jalen Williams was actually there, a happy cutter. There aren’t many plays more stressful for an opponent than the no-look, no-balance pass.

“I just hoped and prayed that (Williams) would be there, and he never lets me down,” Hartenstein said with a smile after the Thunder’s 130-109 victory over the Kings on Monday night at the Golden 1 Center.

It would have seemed like a coincidence if Hartenstein hadn’t already thrown at least two or three confusing passes with Oklahoma City. Hartenstein was already a valuable addition. Without sophomore Chet Holmgren, he has proven to be monumental.

Hartenstein finished Monday night with 17 points and 10 rebounds on 8-for-14 shooting, the most shots he has ever made in an NBA game.

More:OKC Thunder storms past the Kings behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams

His fingerprints were on everything. Holmgren, talented and mythical, is not a master of body-to-body sumo fighting like he can be against Domantas Sabonis. Hartenstein went toe-to-toe with the Kings center.

They went dribble handoff after dribble handoff. Hartenstein grabbed rebounds out of Sabonis’ reach. Sabonis made his way to position.

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