Hartenstein finished Friday's 111-104 win over the Pacers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals with two points (1-3 FG), six rebounds and two assists over 21 minutes.
Hartenstein moved back into the starting lineup, although his production told a different story. In what has been an unfavorable matchup, Hartenstein has been a non-factor to this point, with both the Thunder and the Pacers opting to run smaller, interchangeable lineups. Hartenstein has played more than 20 minutes only twice in the past seven games. Friday's win means Oklahoma City will head home for Game 5 with the series locked at 2-2.
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Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Will start Friday
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Hartenstein will be in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Pacers, Anthony Slater of The Athletic reports.
Hartenstein came off the bench during Game 3 for the third consecutive game. He'll revert to his usual role as a starter with Cason Wallace set to be in the second unit Friday. As a starter throughout this postseason, Hartenstein has averaged 9.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game, shooting 62.2 percent from the field.
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Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Shifts to bench in loss
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Hartenstein chipped in nine points (3-5 FG, 3-3 FT), nine rebounds and one steal in 17 minutes during Thursday's 111-110 loss to the Pacers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Hartenstein moved to the bench, presumably as a result of Indiana's smaller lineup. The Pacers' rotation can switch out on defense, meaning the benefits of running a two-big lineup for the Thunder are somewhat negated. Despite the loss, the decision appeared to be a positive one until the final second of the game. Now trailing 1-0, Oklahoma City will look to bounce back Sunday before the series shifts to Indiana.
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Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Moving to bench for Game 1
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Hartenstein isn't in the starting lineup for Thursday's Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Pacers, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
The Thunder will begin the NBA Finals with a smaller starting five by moving Cason Wallace into the mix, resulting in a role change for Hartenstein. The big man was held in check for the majority of OKC's last series against Minnesota, averaging 6.8 points and 6.0 rebounds in 19.8 minutes over five games.
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Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Logs just 16 minutes Monday
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Hartenstein supplied two points (1-1 FG), six rebounds, two assists and one steal in 16 minutes during Monday's 128-126 victory over Minnesota in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.
Hartenstein played fewer than 20 minutes for the second straight game, a decision based purely on the individual matchup. Against a Timberwolves team with a more mobile frontcourt, Oklahoma City has opted to run a smaller lineup of late. The addition of Hartenstein and Alex Caruso during the offseason was for just this reason, providing the team with the flexibility to chop and change its rotation. Hartenstein will likely continue to start, but his playing time could remain limited, at least for the remainder of the Western Conference Finals.
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Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Sees just 25 minutes
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Hartenstein had eight points (4-4 FG) and six rebounds over 25 minutes during Thursday's 119-107 loss to the Nuggets in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Hartenstein picked up four fouls in 25 minutes, while his replacement, Jaylin Williams, had four fouls in 14 minutes with both players doing their best to slow Nikola Jokic down. Overall, Hartenstein has been terrific in this series, putting up 11.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.8 blocks and 0.7 steals on 57.4 percent shooting from the field.
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Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Strong showing in Game 5
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Hartenstein tallied 15 points (7-10 FG, 1-1 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 33 minutes during Tuesday's 112-105 victory over the Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Hartenstein posted a personal postseason-high in points during a pivotal Game 5 win for the Thunder. The 27-year-old glue guy has continued his steady, regular-season play into the postseason. Hartenstein is averaging 11.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 blocks on 54.0 percent shooting in five games this series against the Nuggets.
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Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Tallies 14 boards in Game 4 win
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Hartenstein ended Sunday's 92-87 win over the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals with eight points (3-7 FG, 2-3 FT), 14 rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in 33 minutes.
Hartenstein made his presence felt on the glass in Game 4 along with Chet Holmgren, with the duo combining for 27 rebounds Sunday. Hartenstein has failed to crack double digits in rebounding only twice during these NBA playoffs, averaging 8.9 per game.
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Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Solid stat line in Game 2
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Hartenstein recorded 14 points (6-7 FG, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal over 22 minutes during Wednesday's 149-106 win over the Nuggets in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
The Thunder looked dominant in this Game 2 win over the Nuggets and Hartenstein was one of the most efficient players in this win. The big man missed just one shot from the floor and ended just two boards away from a double-double. Furthermore, he also posted solid numbers as a passer, with the five dimes being a new playoff-high mark. Hartenstein is averaging 10.3 points and 8.7 assists per game in six playoff appearances thus far.
Hartenstein had 12 points (6-12 FG), nine rebounds, one assist and one block across 29 minutes during Monday's 121-119 loss to Denver in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren each had five fouls apiece, but the Thunder had a lot of success with their small-ball lineups Monday with Alex Caruso providing a major spark off the bench. Through five postseason games, Hartenstein's production hasn't been as good as his stats in the regular season with 9.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.4 blocks and 1.0 steals in 24.6 minutes per game.
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Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Double-double in Saturday's win
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Hartenstein provided 11 points (5-7 FG, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists and four steals across 25 minutes during Saturday's 117-115 victory over Memphis in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
It was the first double-double of the playoffs for Hartenstein, as the Thunder completed the sweep of the Grizzlies. The 26-year-old center hasn't played more than 27 minutes in a game yet this postseason, limiting his fantasy appeal, and he managed only one block across the four games against Memphis. Hartenstein may need to provide a bigger defensive presence in the second round as OKC awaits the winner of the Nuggets-Clippers series, which is tied 2-2 heading into Game 5 on Tuesday.
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Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Grabs 10 boards in win
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Hartenstein closed with six points (3-7 FG), 10 rebounds, three assists and one block over 27 minutes during Tuesday's 118-99 victory over the Grizzlies in Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Hartenstein got the job done on the glass along with Chet Holmgren, as the two big men combined for 21 rebounds. Oklahoma City will now head into Game 3 with a commanding 2-0 lead as this series shifts to Memphis for the next two games.
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Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Logs 21 minutes in Game 1 blowout
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Hartenstein (Achilles) tallied 14 points (7-8 FG), eight rebounds, five assists and one steal across 21 minutes Sunday in the Thunder's 131-80 win over the Grizzlies in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series.
Hartenstein missed the final three games of the regular season due to left Achilles tendinitis, but he likely would have played in all of those contests if the Thunder hadn't already secured the league's top record. The 26-year-old big man was expected to enter the postseason without any restrictions. Still, he played seven minutes fewer than his season average in Game 1 due to the blowout nature of the contest. Hartenstein checked out of the game for good with 6:57 remaining in the third quarter while Oklahoma City had built a 42-point lead, but the center should see more playing time if the Grizzlies can keep things more competitive in future games in the series.
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Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Available for series opener
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Hartenstein (Achilles) is available Sunday for Game 1 of the Thunder's first-round playoff series with the Grizzlies.
Hartenstein missed the final three games of the regular season due to left Achilles tendinitis, but his absences were likely a result of Oklahoma City having already secured the NBA's top record. During his first season in Oklahoma City, Hartenstein averaged 11.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.1 blocks and 0.8 steals in 57 appearances.
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Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Expected to play Game 1
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Hartenstein (Achilles) is expected to play in the postseason.
Hartenstein missed the final three regular-season games, but the Thunder already had the No. 1 seed locked up, so his absences were likely precautionary. During his first season in Oklahoma City, Hartenstein averaged 11.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.1 blocks and 0.8 steals in 57 regular-season appearances (53 starts).
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Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Won't play against Utah
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Hartenstein (Achilles) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Jazz.
Hartenstein will miss a second straight game Friday due to an Achilles issue. The Thunder will likely turn to Jaylin Williams to shoulder the bulk of the load in the frontcourt along with Kenrich Williams.
Hartenstein closed Tuesday's 136-120 victory over the Lakers with eight points (4-7 FG), 15 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal over 29 minutes.
Hartenstein dominated the glass, grabbing 15 rebounds, the most he has recorded since March 5. All in all, it's been a successful season for Hartenstein, despite playing alongside Chet Holmgren. While he doesn't play typical starters' minutes, Hartenstein does more than enough when he is on the floor. In 27.9 minutes per game, he averages 11.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.9 combined steals and blocks.
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Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Efficient 16 points with full line
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Hartenstein produced 16 points (8-9 FG, 0-1 FT), seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal across 28 minutes during Friday's 125-111 loss to the Rockets.
The Thunder countered a towering Rockets frontcourt by putting Hartenstein in the starting lineup Friday, and the veteran big man responded by leading the team in rebounding and supplying an efficient 16 points. Hartenstein may cede the occasional start to either Cason Wallace or Aaron Wiggins when Oklahoma City opts to go smaller, but Hartenstein has averaged 13.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.3 blocks and 0.8 steals in 27.1 minutes over his last 10 games as a starter.
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Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Returning to starting five Friday
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Hartenstein will start in Friday's game against the Rockets, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.
The big man will return to the starting lineup after coming off the bench during Wednesday's win over Detroit, pushing Cason Wallace to the second unit against Houston. Over his last five outings (four starts), Hartenstein has averaged 9.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steals across 23.6 minutes per contest.
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Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Bench role vs. Detroit
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Hartenstein will come off the bench during Wednesday's game against the Pistons, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
Hartenstein will be in the second unit for the Thunder on Wednesday against Detroit. The veteran big man has come off the bench three times for Oklahoma City this season, averaging 12.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 59.3 percent from the field.
