Despite trailing by as many as 14 points in the first quarter, and by 10 at halftime, the Golden State Warriors exploded in the second half on the way to an upset comeback win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. In the fourth quarter with the Warriors closing in on an impressive victory over the team with the best record in the Western Conference, Gary Payton II put an exclamation mark on Golden State’s comeback.
With the Warriors leading by seven with just over a minute left on the clock, Dennis Schroder drove into the lane and dished a pass along the baseline to a cutting Payton II. Payton II didn’t waste any time rising for an emphatic dunk. Payton finished the dunk with a vicious one-handed punch over Oklahoma City’s 7-foot center Isaiah Hartenstein. Payton II’s dunk sent his teammates on the sideline and the fans at Chase Center into a frenzy.
Payton II finished the game with 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the floor to go along with nine rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes during Golden State’s 116-109 win over Oklahoma City.
Gary Payton II showed off his incredible athleticism and dunking ability as he threw down a vicious poster dunk over the Thunder’s Isaiah Hartenstein. The video of the explosive dunk quickly went viral, leaving fans in awe of Payton’s incredible hops and finishing ability. Check out the highlight reel dunk and witness the sheer power and tenacity that Gary Payton II brings to the court. This is a must-watch moment for any basketball fan! #GaryPaytonII #PosterDunk #NBAHighlights
For the third year in a row, the OKC Thunder will find themselves well represented during the league’s annual All-Star Weekend, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been named a starter for the headline exhibition while sophomore Cason Wallace was just selected to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge.
Now, fans are champing at the bit while awaiting word on whether Jalen Williams will be joining his Oklahoma City cohorts via his first career All-Star selection. To center Isaiah Hartenstein, there’s no question the forward’s deserving of a bid.
During a practice media session held this past Tuesday, the big man spoke glowingly about how Williams has managed to up his play in all three years of his professional career, and, amid his praise-filled assessment, Hartenstein laid out the reasons why he deserves to be selected as an All-Star reserve.
Thunder big Isaiah Hartenstein endorses Jalen Williams for All-Star bid
“He’s been great. To me, he’s an All-Star this year… I think he’s a really underrated defender. I think he’s one of the best defenders in the league. We just happen to have so many great defenders on our team that sometimes he doesn’t get as much exposure as he should. Defensively he’s been great, offensively he’s been doing a great job just leading the team in those aspects,” Hartenstein said.
While the lion’s share of credit for the team’s top-seeded 37-8 record has been given to Gilgeous-Alexander and his tremendous per-game production, for those familiar and who have watched a majority of games, the Thunder likely would not be where they are at this point in the year without the contributions of Jalen Williams.
Enduring countless injuries throughout the season, particularly within their frontcourt, coach Mark Daigneault has looked to J-Dub to play well outside of his position, as the traditional wing (6-foot-6, 211 pounds) has been tasked with slotting in anywhere from the three all the way down to the team’s starting pivot.
Despite the clear size and strength issues that inherently come with such a rotation set-up, Williams has battled through these numerous adversities and, in turn, has managed to put forth easily his best season yet.
In 44 games played, the 23-year-old finds himself posting sensational two-way averages of 21.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.8 steals, and just shy of a block on 47.5 percent shooting from the floor and while registering a remarkable defensive rating of 103.6.
Throughout the year, Williams has proven time and time again that he’s more than capable of serving as a Swiss Army Knife-type of talent while simultaneously playing the role of Nightwing next to SGA’s Batman in the scoring department along the way.
Without his efforts, this bruised and battered Thunder squad would almost certainly not be boasting the best record in the entire league and, in turn, be en route toward their second consecutive home-court advantage throughout the NBA Playoffs.
Because of this, it should go without saying that Jalen Williams is more than deserving of being named an All-Star this season.
During Thursday’s unveiling of the 2025 NBA All-Star reserves on TNT’s pregame show, Isaiah Hartenstein and the vast majority of Thunder nation expect to hear Dub’s name included.
Isaiah Hartenstein, the Houston Rockets forward, believes that his teammate Jalen Williams has a strong case to be considered for the upcoming All-Star game. Williams has been putting up impressive numbers this season and has been a key player for the Rockets.
Hartenstein pointed out Williams’s scoring ability, rebounding prowess, and defensive skills as reasons why he deserves to be recognized as an All-Star. Williams has been a consistent performer for the Rockets, averaging double-digit points and rebounds per game.
With the All-Star game approaching, Hartenstein is making a strong case for his teammate’s inclusion in the roster. Williams’s contributions to the team have not gone unnoticed, and his impact on the court has been undeniable.
As the voting for the All-Star game continues, it will be interesting to see if Jalen Williams gets the recognition he deserves. With the support of his teammate Isaiah Hartenstein, Williams’s chances of making the All-Star team are looking brighter than ever.
The Minnesota Timberwolves displayed a strong performance in their recent game against the Denver Nuggets, winning 133-104. Anthony Edwards led the team with 34 points and nine assists, and Rudy Gobert contributed a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds. The victory marked the Wolves’ fourth consecutive win against the Nuggets, emphasizing their dominance in recent matchups. Coach Mike Conley highlighted the importance of maintaining energy and fast play on offense to keep the momentum going.
By the Numbers
The Timberwolves shot 56% from the field in their victory.
Anthony Edwards recorded 34 points and nine assists.
Rudy Gobert achieved 14 points and 14 rebounds.
This was the Nuggets’ fourth straight loss to the Timberwolves.
Yes, But
While the Timberwolves had an impressive outing, consistency remains a challenge as they’ve struggled to replicate last season’s Western Conference Finals success. Their past performances have leaned towards stagnation, highlighting the need for continued energy and focus to avoid going back into isolation plays.
State of Play
Jaden McDaniels scored 13 points, marking his sixth consecutive game in double figures.
Isaiah Hartenstein from the Thunder is set to return from a calf strain on Sunday against Portland.
What’s Next
The Timberwolves will look to build on their momentum as they aim for a more consistent performance in the upcoming games. Meanwhile, Hartenstein’s return could provide a boost to the Oklahoma City Thunder as they face the Trail Blazers.
Bottom Line
The Timberwolves are showing promise by finding their rhythm and dominating key matchups, but maintaining focus will be crucial to sustain success moving forward. With players like Hartenstein returning, the competition in the league is heating up, emphasizing the importance of every game.
Houston Rockets center Isaiah Hartenstein is set to make his return to the court this Sunday after missing a handful of games due to injury. The young prospect has been sidelined with a sprained ankle, but has been putting in the work to get back to full strength and help his team compete.
Hartenstein’s return is much anticipated by fans and teammates alike, as the 21-year-old has shown flashes of potential during his limited playing time this season. With his size, athleticism, and skill set, he has the ability to make a significant impact on both ends of the floor.
Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni is excited to have Hartenstein back in the rotation, as he provides valuable depth in the frontcourt and gives the team more options in their lineup rotations. Look for Hartenstein to make his presence felt on Sunday as he looks to make up for lost time and help the Rockets continue their push towards the playoffs.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been without big man Isaiah Hartenstein for a shade over a week and in that stretch he missed five games. This left the Thunder center-less for a second stint this season as Hartenstein began the year on the shelf before Chet Holmgren joined him in street clothes due to a hip fracture on Nov. 10.
This past week, the Thunder went 3-2 with losses to the Dallas Mavericks twice. Now, Hartenstein will return to the lineup against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday evening.
This season, Hartenstein has played in 24 games to the tune of 11.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.2 stocks per game while shooting 56 percent from the floor.
Cason Wallace, who left the team’s last game against the Dallas Mavericks after a hit to the face, will suit up in Portland despite suffering a facial fracture.
Though, the Thunder have added Lu Dort to the injury report with right knee soreness. He will miss this game – marking just his second missed contest of the season for Oklahoma City.
Earlier today, the Thunder sent down rookie swingman Dillon Jones to the NBA G League where he will be able to play three games in short order this week for the Blue spread between Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
Isaiah Joe and Ousmane Dieng, who missed the last game with an illness, are each off the injury report signaling their return as well.
Thunder Injury Report vs Trail Blazers: Lu Dort (Knee) OUT Chet Holmgren (Hip) OUT Ajay Mitchell (Toe) OUT Nikola Topic (ACL) OUT Dillon Jones (GL) OUT Cason Wallace (Facial Fracture) Available
Isaiah Hartenstein isn’t on the report. Signaling a return.
Houston Rockets fans have something to celebrate as Isaiah Hartenstein is set to make his return to the lineup against the Portland Trail Blazers. Hartenstein, who has been battling injuries, will provide a much-needed boost to the team’s frontcourt.
Unfortunately, the Rockets will be without the services of Lu Dort, who has been ruled out for the game against the Blazers. Dort has been a key contributor on both ends of the floor, so his absence will surely be felt.
Despite Dort’s absence, Rockets fans can look forward to seeing Hartenstein back in action and hopefully making an impact in the game against the Trail Blazers. Let’s hope for a strong performance from the team and a successful return for Hartenstein. Go Rockets! #IsaiahHartenstein #LuDort #HoustonRockets #PortlandTrailBlazers
Williams recorded five points (2-6 FG, 1-5 3Pt), five rebounds and one assist across 14 minutes during Thursday’s 134-114 victory over Cleveland.
Making his first start of the season for the Thunder in Isaiah Hartenstein’s (calf) stead, Williams logged only 14 minutes and was unable to make a significant impact in the box score Thursday. Williams appears likely to split minutes with Branden Carlson as a traditional center in the interim, meaning the former could have a hard time finding increased fantasy value. The Thunder experimented with Jalen Williams as a small-ball five in their deep rotation earlier this season when they were without Hartenstein as well, and it doesn’t appear initially as though there will be a direct beneficiary of the latter’s absence.
Jaylin Williams News: Muted impact sans Hartenstein
Arkansas Razorbacks’ forward Jaylin Williams has been making waves in the college basketball world with his impressive performances. However, his impact seemed to be muted in their recent game against the Houston Cougars as they fell short without their star big man Isaiah Hartenstein.
Williams, known for his versatility and ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor, struggled to find his rhythm without Hartenstein by his side. The absence of the talented center forced Williams to carry a heavier load on both offense and defense, leading to a dip in his production.
Despite the setback, Williams remains a key player for the Razorbacks and is expected to bounce back stronger in their next game. His potential and talent are undeniable, and with Hartenstein back in the lineup, the duo is sure to wreak havoc on their opponents once again.
Stay tuned for more updates on Jaylin Williams and the Arkansas Razorbacks as they continue their quest for success in the college basketball season.
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With Karl-Anthony Towns no longer in Minnesota, rising Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is going through some growing pains this year, expressing frustration about receiving so much attention from opposing defenses, writes Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.
Edwards admitted that he’s sometimes not sure how to handle traps and double-teams and admitted that it’s “not fun” to have his scoring opportunities limited and the ball taken out of his hands. As Krawczynski details, Edwards’ “trademark spirit” seems to be lacking as of late, and it didn’t help matters that fellow stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jayson Tatum has big games in wins over Minnesota this week.
“He’s doing a really good job. It’s tough,” teammate Julius Randle said. “I know it’s frustrating. But that’s just the player that he is. He’s that special that nobody is going to guard him straight up. We gotta continue to try to help him out.”
As Krawczynski points out, players like Gilgeous-Alexander and Tatum are a few years ahead of Edwards on the developmental curve, so there’s plenty of optimism that the Timberwolves guard will eventually figure out how best to attack defenses by balancing his scoring and play-making.
“I think everybody has been playing good on my team besides me,” Edwards said. “I got to figure it out, figure out ways to help them. They have been hitting shots lately. I got to figure out a way to get myself involved in the offense by not letting the double-team take me out. I’ll figure it out.”
Here’s more from around the Northwest:
The Knicks tried their best to retain Isaiah Hartenstein over the summer, but the veteran center believes the outcome of his free agency – he signed with the Thunder, while New York replaced him by trading for Towns – has been “perfect” for both sides, per Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. “I’m in a situation here (in OKC) where it’s going really good. They got a great center, one of the best centers in the league,” Hartenstein said before facing his old team on Friday. “So I think for both parties it was perfect. Knowing (Knicks president of basketball operations) Leon Rose, he’ll always find something. He’s been doing a great job, so he made the right adjustment.”
Besides helping to anchor the defense, Hartenstein has added a new dynamic to the Thunder‘s offense with his passing, as Rylan Stiles of SI.com outlines.
Speaking to Mark Medina of Sportskeeda, Trail Blazers rookie center Donovan Clingan admitted that he’s still adjusting to the speed of the NBA game and that he may have hit the rookie wall “a little bit” during the first few months of his professional career. Head coach Chauncey Billups said he’s got to “do a better job” of putting Clingan in the best possible position to succeed, but noted that the team anticipated it would take the big man some time to get comfortable going up against the best players in the world. “He’s playing against players that are better than players he’s ever seen every single night, to be honest with you,” Billups said. “So the mobility of some of these guys and the versatility of some of these guys have been tough for him.”
Entering the 2024/25 season, Nikola Jokic was a 35.0% three-point shooter across nine years in the NBA. This season, the Nuggets center is making a league-leading 47.9% of his triples. Tony Jones of The Athletic takes a closer look at how Jokic’s work in the offseason and preseason helped the three-time MVP become an even more dangerous offensive player.
In this edition of Northwest Notes, we take a look at some rising stars and standout performances from the Northwest region:
1. Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves): The No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft has been making a name for himself in his rookie season. Edwards has shown off his scoring ability, athleticism, and potential as a future star in the league. Keep an eye on this young talent as he continues to develop and make a impact for the Timberwolves.
2. Isaiah Hartenstein (Denver Nuggets): Hartenstein has been a key contributor off the bench for the Nuggets this season. The 23-year-old center has shown his versatility, rebounding skills, and shot-blocking ability. With his energy and hustle, Hartenstein has become a fan favorite and a valuable asset for Denver.
3. Donovan Clingan (UConn Huskies): Clingan, a highly-touted recruit, has been making waves in his freshman season at UConn. The 7-foot-1 center has been dominating in the paint, showcasing his scoring touch, rebounding prowess, and shot-blocking skills. Clingan has the potential to be a game-changer for the Huskies and a future NBA prospect to watch.
4. Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets): Jokic has been putting up MVP-caliber numbers this season, solidifying his status as one of the best players in the league. The All-Star center has been a triple-double machine, leading the Nuggets to success with his scoring, passing, and rebounding. Jokic’s unique skill set and basketball IQ make him a must-watch player in the Northwest and beyond.
Stay tuned for more updates and highlights from the Northwest region in future editions of Northwest Notes.
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After a week of tongue-in-cheek verbal jousting, Josh Hart was finally willing to show a little love to a former New York Knicks teammate.
One of the primary headlines surrounding the Knicks’ Friday night fracas with the Oklahoma City Thunder (8 p.m. ET, MSG/NBA TV) is the fact that New York will face former center Isaiah Hartenstein for the first time since he inked a three-year, $87 million deal with the artists formerly known as the Seattle SuperSonics.
As the Knicks prepared at Paycom Center, Hart offered tribute to Hartenstein in a way only he could, mixing legitimate respect with humorously biting commentary.
“You don’t really know the true ability or unselfishness of a player until you are teammates,” Hart said, per Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “In LA with the Clippers, he was solid. But he got to New York and played a style and brand of basketball that [head coach Tom Thibodeau] loves.”
Josh Hart this morning with a tribute to Isaiah Hartenstein:
“You don’t really know the true ability or unselfishness of a player until you are teammates. In LA with the Clippers, he was solid. But he got to New York and played a style and brand of basketball that Thibs loves.…
“He was a great locker room guy for us, unselfish, didn’t care for the spotlight, did all the dirty work things and won us a playoff game. I think he had 10 offensive rebounds. And didn’t care about scoring. He was like, ‘I’m going to dominate the glass.’ So when he’s your teammate, you love him. Now that he’s not your teammate, he can go smoke one.”
Hartenstein was an NBA journeyman for four seasons, playing for four different teams before getting a getting a two-year, $16 million deal from the Knicks. Last year served as his breakout campaign, as he took over the Knicks’ starting center spot when Mitchell Robinson went down.
In 49 appearances in the starting lineup, Hartenstein averaged 9.4 rebounds and 8.7 points and led all playoff participants in offensive rebounds until Dallas’ Dereck Lively replaced him during the latter stages of the NBA Finals. As Hart alluded to, one of his finest showings was a 12-offensive rebound performance during Game 5 of the conference semifinals against the Indiana Pacers, tying a Knicks single-game playoff record set by Charles Oakley during the 1994 run to the Finals.
Hartenstein played that into a bit deal from the Thunder and has justified that payday to the tune of 12.6 points and 12.2 rebounds a game, both which stand as career-highs. All that comes after Hartenstein missed the first half of this season after enduring a hand injury during the exhibition slate.
Though the Knicks’ interior situation has been well-maintained by Karl-Anthony Towns, there’s no denying a certain brand of paint power was lost upon Hartenstein’s departure — and he’ll have a prime opportunity to prove it tonight.
New York Knicks Star, Julius Randle, Pays Tribute to Isaiah Hartenstein
In a heartfelt Instagram post, New York Knicks star Julius Randle paid tribute to his former teammate Isaiah Hartenstein, who was recently traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Randle shared a photo of the two of them on the court, along with a caption expressing his gratitude for their time together.
“Going to miss my guy Isaiah Hartenstein,” Randle wrote. “We had some great times on and off the court. Best of luck in Cleveland, my brother. Keep shining.”
Randle and Hartenstein developed a close bond during their time playing together for the Knicks, and Randle’s tribute is a testament to the camaraderie and respect they shared. Fans of the Knicks and Hartenstein alike have expressed their appreciation for Randle’s kind words, and many have wished Hartenstein well in his new chapter with the Cavaliers.
It’s always heartwarming to see professional athletes showing support for one another, and Randle’s tribute to Hartenstein is a reminder of the strong bonds that can be formed through sports. We wish Isaiah Hartenstein all the best in Cleveland and look forward to seeing both him and Randle continue to succeed in their careers.
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Since arriving in the Sooner State back in July, Isaiah Hartenstein has proven himself to be a true difference-maker for this OKC Thunder team.
Though initial reactions to his $87 million deal with the franchise were shrouded in screams of “overpay,” through three months of action Oklahoma City sports the second-best record in the entire association at 28-5 and, with the veteran in the lineup, have gone a mesmerizing 17-1.
From his elite screen-setting and board-gobbling abilities to his top-flight dime-dropping skills, Hartenstein has quickly become a favorite among both fans and team personnel and has regularly received praise from his on-court cohorts.
However, as admitted by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander earlier this season, the overall impact that I-Hart has on the game is something that wasn’t fully understood before his arrival to the Thunder.
According to former Knicks teammate Josh Hart, this is the realization everyone seems to have when given the opportunity to play alongside the 26-year-old pivot.
Josh Hart speaks on impact Thunder’s Isaiah Hartenstein has on game
During the morning hours ahead of Friday’s matchup between the Thunder and Knicks, New York Post beat writer Stefan Bondy shared Josh Hart’s comments on the wonder that is his former teammate Isaiah Hartenstein, revealing that the only way to understand “the true ability or unselfishness” of the big you have to play with him.
“In LA with the Clippers, he was solid. But he got to New York and played a style and brand of basketball that Thibs loves. And then his personality – he was a great locker room guy for us. Unselfish. Didn’t care for the spotlight. Did all the dirty work things. And won us a playoff game. I think he had 10 offensive rebounds. And didn’t care about scoring. He was like, ‘I’m going to dominate the glass,’” Hart said, as transcribed by Bondy.
This praise-filled sentiment is a bit far from the typical comments Hart has gone on record making since Hartenstein signed with the Thunder this summer, as he’s regularly made jokes at the big man’s expense. Even in this statement, in typical fashion, the wing had to cap things off by saying that even though he loves him, “Now that he’s not your teammate, he can go smoke one.”
However, despite all the “talking,” as Hartenstein put it, it’s evident that the two still have a close and personal relationship with one another regardless of the fact that they are no longer a part of the same organization.
A star in his role, through 18 games played I-Hart has found himself producing at phenomenal, career-best rates and is posting impressive all-around averages of 12.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.3 blocks per night while shooting 57.5 percent from the floor.
Though his tenure with Oklahoma City still may be rather new, it’s evident that the franchise has already come to the realization that Josh Hart informed Bondy about and they couldn’t be happier with the results!
The Oklahoma City Thunder have reportedly made a realization about center Isaiah Hartenstein that guard Josh Hart has known for years.
Hartenstein, who was acquired by the Thunder in a trade with the Denver Nuggets, has been impressing his new teammates and coaches with his skillset and basketball IQ. However, Hart, who played with Hartenstein in college at Villanova, has always been aware of the big man’s talent.
“Isaiah has always been a beast on the court,” Hart said in a recent interview. “I’ve known him since our college days and I’ve seen firsthand how skilled he is. It’s great to see him finally getting the recognition he deserves.”
The Thunder have been utilizing Hartenstein in various lineups and have seen his impact on both ends of the floor. With his ability to stretch the floor, protect the rim, and make smart plays, it’s clear that Hartenstein is a valuable asset to the team.
As the Thunder continue to develop their young core, Hartenstein’s presence and experience will be crucial in their growth and success. And with Hart’s endorsement, it’s no surprise that the Thunder have made this realization about their new big man.
