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Justin Martinez: Isaiah Hartenstein was asked by @joe_mussatto about Jalen Williams’ performance in Game 1 against Phoenix: “He was great. It’s a combination of he just got his rhythm back. I think he had a good little stint at the end of the year to get back in rhythm. I think he did a great job on both ends of the court. People talk a lot about the offense, but just him defensively is always huge. I just think he did a good job of being aggressive and finding guys. I think when he does that, he’s at his best.”
Justin Martinez: Here's OKC's injury report for its home game against the LA Lakers tomorrow: Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein are back after missing the last game due to injury management. Alex Caruso is questionable due to an illness.
Many are speculating that the Thunder might be forced to part ways with one of Hartenstein or Lu Dort, who also has a team option for next season. That would be their easiest path towards savings, but it seems unlikely the Thunder will simply let either of these players go.
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Joe Martinez: Isaiah Hartenstein on the frequency of Thunder skirmishes over the past several months: "We’re a physical team. ... we’re also not gonna back down against anything. I don’t really put anyone at fault for that, it just happens. We have a passionate group of guys, and every time we play, teams are coming with their best shot and sometimes it just gets physical."
Justin Martinez: Asked Isaiah Hartenstein what it’s been like to get to know Jared McCain off the court: “Great person. I think, just in general, he’s a great human being. He really fits that locker room. But again, that’s something that you have to give Sam (Presti) a lot of respect with. He doesn’t just look for talent. He looks for people that fit a culture, and I think that’s something that’s really important.”
Justin Martinez: Final: Thunder 132, Wizards 111 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 40 points and 7 assists; Isaiah Hartenstein: 9 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists; Chet Holmgren: 18 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks. OKC (56-15) is on a league-leading winning streak of 11 games.
Justin Martinez: Here’s OKC’s injury report for its road game against Brooklyn tonight: Chet Holmgren is questionable. Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein and Lu Dort are out.
Justin Martinez: Jared McCain on if he has played alongside a big man who can make screening a highlight play like Isaiah Hartenstein: “It’s crazy. When I was in Philly, Joel would do that with Tyrese and I was like ‘Dang, that’s really cool right there.’ So being able to be a part of it is really fun. Playing with Hart, J-Will and Chet, they’re all elite bigs. I’m excited to play with them.”
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Nearly 10 years before teaming up for the Lakers, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton were just teenaged prospects with big dreams. They first met at a Basketball without Borders camp in 2016. The roster that year also included future NBA champions Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Isaiah Hartenstein. Hachimura recalled Ayton dominating everyone. Then the 7-foot center from the Bahamas inexplicably disappeared. “That’s what I remember,” Hachimura said with a smile remembering his first impression of his future Lakers teammate. “I was like, ‘Where’s this guy going?’”
Justin Martinez: Here's OKC's injury report for its home game against Minnesota tomorrow: Isaiah Hartenstein (left calf contusion) is questionable after missing the last three games. Jalen Williams (right hamstring strain) remains out.
Justin Martinez: Here's the injury report for OKC's home game against Boston tomorrow: Chet Holmgren is back after missing the last two games due to the flu. Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein remain out.
Isaiah Hartenstein: On draft night actually, so I was supposed to go, I think it was like 10 to like 25 and then on draft night, I got red-flagged for something I didn't have, an injury. They were like, "Oh, yeah, you're good after all the MRIs and stuff." And then my agent comes to me like on draft night and he's like, "Yo, what's wrong with your knee?!” I was like, "Huh?" I was like, "No, my knee's straight." And they're like, "Yeah, you just got red-flagged for your knee." And we had a pretty good draft that year. I don't remember who else was in that draft, but it was a good draft. So, I fell down to the 43rd pick, got drafted by the Rockets, and they kind of gave me an option. They were like, "You can go overseas. We don't know when you're gonna come back. Or you play one year in the G League and we're gonna give you a contract right away. So I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m going to the G.’
