Isaiah Hartenstein may not be considered a star player with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but he’s certainly one of the key reasons for their success.
While everyone obviously pays attention to reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and All-Star players such as Jalen Williams, it’s Hartenstein who mans the middle as the starting center of the defending champs. Prior to a recent calf strain injury, Hartenstein had started all 19 of his games with the Thunder this season, averaging 12.2 points and 10.7 rebounds per game on 67.1 percent from the field.
The stats and role are obviously solid indicators of Hartenstein’s success, but the most important is the Thunder have lost one game all season long entering their Sunday night matchup against the Utah Jazz. Oklahoma City is an NBA-best 22-1, and they’ve done this despite key players missing games due to injury, including Williams, who has played in only four games this season.
“I think being process focused,” said Hartenstein in a one-on-one interview with Ahn Fire Digital. “I mean, we’re not too focused on the championship or playoffs. We’re really focused on how we can approach each and every day and get better each and every day. We know there’s still a long process to that moving forward as a team.”
The 27-year-old is echoing strong words as a first-time defending champion. The 7-foot center began his NBA career as a little-known second-round draft pick during the 2018-19 season with the Houston Rockets. During his rookie campaign, Hartenstein appeared in just 28 games as an end-of-bench reserve, averaging 1.9 points and 1.7 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per game.
It took a few years before he eventually blossomed into one of the more solid centers in the NBA, breaking through with the New York Knicks during the 2023-24 season. Hartenstein started 49 of his 75 appearances during the 2023-24 season and averaged 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 25.3 minutes per game.
He used that breakthrough season to sign a three-year, $87 million contract with the Thunder.
Hartenstein said the biggest difference between the player that he is now compared to at the start of his NBA career is his growth “mentally.”
“I think I grew a lot mentally,” said Hartenstein. “I think that’s always the biggest thing. What people don’t really talk about, especially in sports, is how much mental really matters. Just being able to go through different things throughout my career.”
The Thunder have obviously been coasting this season with very little resistance from opponents. However, they know things will change when the postseason rolls around when the intensity level increases. For example, Oklahoma City defeated their opponents during the 2024-25 regular season by an average margin of 12.9 points per game, an NBA record.
However, it took them seven games to defeat the Denver Nuggets in their playoff series and seven games to defeat the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals.
Hartenstein said the biggest challenge of being a defending champ is you’re starting “from zero.”
“I think that’s the biggest challenge, having that mindset of going into it acting like you’re a defending champion,” said Hartenstein. “It’s a new season. You have to start from zero. And I think the human nature is sometimes to look too far ahead. And as a team, I think you do a good job of just staying present.”
If the Thunder are to repeat as champions and become the first team since the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors to accomplish the feat, they’ll have to continue to have the mindset of starting “from zero” as Hartenstein mentions.
Isaiah Hartenstein partners with Raising Cane’s to give away 100 bikes to kids
Hartenstein partnered up with Raising Cane’s earlier in the week as he continues to rehab his calf injury by handing out bikes to kids in the Oklahoma City area during their sixth annual holiday giveaway.
“Growing up, it was something I always had a lot of fun with my friends, with our bikes, just having fun,” said Hartenstein. “So being able to give these kids bikes and things, just being able to give back and spread joy.”
Hartenstein partnered up with the Boys & Girls Club — in addition to Raising Cane’s — to help give out 100 bikes to kids.
“Just see what they do in the community, how much they impact,” said Hartenstein. “Me being here has an impact, but what they do on a consistent basis, I think that’s really, really special. I try to do as much as possible, but they’re the real, heroes. They’re here every day. They’re supporting the kids and so just being able to give back with them is always something cool.”
