The OKC Thunder find themselves in quite a tricky situation, as they are currently playing without all of their centers for the foreseeable future due to varying health-related ailments.
This is not slowing down the team, however, as they have reverted back to their small-ball style of play which has fortunately been strengthened with the recent return of veteran Kenrich Williams.
In the games they have played without any real size (i.e. without guys like Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Jaylin Williams) the club has gone 2-0 and has a real opportunity to continue this streak against an onslaught of similarly bruised and battered teams over their next few games.
Still, even with this, it should come as a comfort to know that Oklahoma City may not be without a traditional center for much longer, as recent signs are showing their big-time free agency splash, Isaiah Hartenstein could be gearing up for his long-awaited return to the hardwood.
OKC Thunder big Isaiah Hartenstein spotted without hand brace
Hartenstein was forced out for the final game of the preseason and has since missed all 12 games to start the regular season due to a fractured left hand. Fortunately, the Thunder managed to weather the storm of his absence by starting with a historic 7-0 record.
Since this stretch, however, the team has fallen back down to earth, as they've gone 3-2 over their last five and, as noted, have received numerous chomps from the injury bug.
Just in the nick of time, it seems Hartenstein may be on the verge of returning to the lineup, as he was seen without his hand brace on during Wednesday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans which, according to Oklahoman Sports' Joel Lorenzi, was the first time since the veteran sustained his injury that he's seen him "without the sort of glove/brace."
This should be viewed as a refreshing sign for fans, as the squad could use some serious help within their frontcourt, specifically on the boards where, just recently, they were outrebounded 58-31 against NOLA.
Now, with this exciting buzz, the Loud City supporters are likely wondering what the timeline may be for the big man to make his return. Sadly, coach Mark Daignealut will not give out any specific information, as Lorenzi specified in his previously mentioned post.
In the preseason, Hartenstein was proving himself to be a key difference-maker on the court what with his elite screen-setting abilities, passing skills, and rough and tough style of play. He would cap off his preseason with averages of 7.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks.
Based on his initial five to six week rehab estimate, the expected return date would be around the first week of December, which would be ideal.
This gives Hartenstein a month to get reacclimated whilst predominantly playing against middle-of-the-pack teams before jumping into the toughest month of the year for OKC, highlighted by teams like Boston and Cleveland.
The bottom line is that Hartenstein is coming back, maybe sooner rather than later, and will solve a ton of problems the current team is facing. The "when" of this scenario is still a mystery, however.