Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, one of the summer’s top free agent acquisitions, sustained a small, non-displaced fracture in his left hand during the second half of Tuesday’s preseason game in Denver. He will be re-evaluated in five to six weeks, the Thunder’s communications department tweets.
Given that timeline, Hartenstein will be sidelined until at least late November.
The injury temporarily rails Oklahoma City’s plans for a bigger lineup pairing Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren. Oklahoma City was already dealing with frontcourt injuries — Jaylin Williams is nursing a right hamstring strain, while Kenrich Williams had a knee procedure last month.
Jalen Williams figures to reclaim the power forward starting role until Hartenstein returns.
Hartenstein had a breakout season with the Knicks in his walk year and cashed in, signing three-year, $87MM deal with the Thunder with a team option for 2026/27. Hartenstein averaged 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks in 25.3 minutes per game last season. He also started 13 postseason games with Mitchell Robinson sidelined.
Hartenstein had appeared in three preseason games with the Thunder.