Thunder Center Out Multiple Weeks

While the Oklahoma City Thunder are viewed as contenders - including as the odds on favorites to win the Western Conference - the ride to the postseason will not be smooth. Before the season even began, Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams were sidelined with a hamstring and knee injury respectively. 

Then, on Thursday, the Thunder got their biggest blow to date and their biggest injury in two years. 

After signing Isaiah Hartenstein to a massive three year 87 million dollar pact, the OKC Thunder saw him dominate in three preseason games fitting the team’s system like a glove and showing why he was a necessary add to help improve the Bricktown ballers front court depth. 

However, Thursday offered devastating news ahead of the OKC Thunder’s final preseason game. Hartenstein sustained a small, non-displaced fracture in his left hand during the second half of Tuesday’s preseason game in Denver. The seven footer will be re-evaluated in five to six weeks, according to the team. 

It is always important to note that re-evaluation date is not always a return date so it is safe to say the Thunder will need the weather a storm without their big ticket offseason addition, especially if either Williams big man has a set back. 

Dillon Jones and Ousmane Dieng will also be called on to help get through this stretch - as well as Oklahoma City leaning on small ball.