Rebounding and rim protection bolster as the Thunder welcome their injured starting center back, significantly boosting their offensive and defensive prowess.
The Oklahoma City Thunder snapped their two game loss streak with a win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. They got an even bigger win on their off day on Wednesday night.
Isaiah Hartenstein is no longer listed on the injury report.
OKC's starting center last played against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 28. Hartenstein missed the following month due to a right soleus strain. His return should help the defending champs, who have struggled to their standard as they deal with a variety of injuries, on both sides of the court.
The most obvious area in which Hartenstein will immediately lift the Thunder is in the rebounding department. The seven foot big man has been OKC's leading rebounder since the moment he first first donned a Thunder jersey. Not coincidentally, Oklahoma City has suffered significantly on the boards in Hartenstein's absence. Chet Holmgren has upped his rebounding prowess during that stretch, but there is only so much damage one true big can do on the glass. Jaylin Williams has impressed with his effort and energy, but he is battling with a 6'9" frame. Branden Carlson is a seven footer, but physicality is not particularly his comfort zone. The stat sheet should look much different and improved in rebounding with the return of OKC's two big lineup.
Another facet of the game in which the Thunder should see a noticeable jump with Hartenstein back in the lineup is rim protection. Holmgren is one of the top two paint protectors in the entire league, but his cohort in the frontcourt is one of the NBA's best as well. The ability to have two elite rim protectors not only makes it tougher to score in the restricted area, but it also allows OKC's host of perimeter defenders to stick to guards, wings and particularly shooters a bit closer. When Oklahoma City is outsized, their defense swarms by sending bodies to take away the paint. The Thunder won't change that strategy, but having the Holmgren and Hartenstein pair allows them not to chase it so aggressively.
Hartenstein's return will not only help OKC's rebounding and defense, but he will be a big benefit for the offense as well. Nobody sets better screens for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. That little bit of extra space to get around defenders is all the MVP needs to work his magic and get to his spots. Hartenstein will provide the Thunder with extra possessions and second chance points as the team's best offensive rebounder. And he's no slouch in the scoring department, either. He has averaged 11.2 points in both his seasons in Oklahoma City by scoring at the rim, as a lob threat and with his trademark push shot.
The Thunder are still dealing with injuries to many of their top end players in Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, Ajay Mitchell and Cason Wallace. But things are finally looking up on the injury report. Because they just got one of their best players back.