Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault recently praised Isaiah Hartenstein for his extraordinary start to the season. Following a career-high 33-point, 19-rebound performance against the Sacramento Kings, Hartenstein continued to impress with a strong outing against the Memphis Grizzlies. In that game, he finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds, two steals, and one block, helping the Thunder erase a 19-point deficit and secure a 114-100 victory.
After the win, Daigneault spoke about Hartenstein’s growth over the past year, highlighting the 27-year-old center’s continual improvement and championship experience with the Thunder.
“A combination of where he is in his career. He’s a guy that’s really used a lot of experiences,” Daigneault said. “He’s played for a lot of different teams and had a challenging road to get himself to this point in his career, and he’s worked himself into this player. So, he deserves a lot of individual credit for that.
“I think as his time has gone on here, in Oklahoma City, he’s gained more and more chemistry with the guys, and understanding of how to blend into this system and this team. The combination of those two things has him playing, obviously, at a very high level,” he concluded.
Hartenstein’s NBA journey is indeed a unique one. The 2017 second-round pick bounced around the league for years before finally cracking a head coach’s rotation with the Los Angeles Clippers. He then built his reputation as a productive two-way center during two seasons with the New York Knicks.
In 2024, the Thunder offered Hartenstein a three-year, $87 million contract—a deal the Knicks couldn’t match—bringing him to Oklahoma City.
### Isaiah Hartenstein’s Dad on His Son’s 2025-26 Thunder Season
Florian Hartenstein, Isaiah’s father, shared insights with ClutchPoints about his son’s development and what lies ahead. According to Florian, Isaiah’s unique path—playing for four different teams in four years before stabilizing with the Knicks—has helped him grow into the starting center and champion he is today.
“He’s figured it out. To play in the NBA, you have to figure out a role. I think that’s one of the hardest parts, especially for younger players, is to figure out what my role is in the NBA. Because if you’re not like a top pick, you don’t get to play the way you want,” Florian said.
“You have to find a role that you fit best, and he’s figured out how to mentally put himself in situations where it’s like, OK, the team wants this.”
As the Thunder concluded a successful four-game road trip with a 3-1 record, Hartenstein’s growth and impact on the team continue to be a key factor in their promising season.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/thunder-news-mark-daigneault-reveals-special-combination-isaiah-hartenstein-hot-start
