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OKLAHOMA CITY — On the morning of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, surrounded by a circle of reporters at the Oklahoma City Thunder’s practice facility, Jalen Williams was in the spotlight, while Isaiah Hartenstein was close by, fine-tuning his pre-game routine.
The seasoned center, now in his seventh year, was the last rotation player still on the court, working on his decision-making skills alongside two player development coaches, one of whom used a foam pad as resistance during drills. Hartenstein’s responsibilities—whether involving setting legal screens at appropriate angles, precisely delivering passes, or being actively engaged around the basket—hinge on quick and strategic thinking.
Hartenstein’s relentless drive and sharp judgment have taken him from struggling to secure a spot in the Houston Rockets’ lineup to establishing a pivotal role with the New York Knicks and now becoming a starter for a championship-contending team with 68 wins. In Game 5, marking the Thunder’s second consecutive NBA Finals victory since Hartenstein’s return to the starting five, his quick decision-making—particularly in the first half—was crucial in forging a significant separation from a tenacious Indiana Pacers squad.
While the final game statistics reflected Hartenstein’s eight rebounds (six offensive), four assists, one block, one steal, and four points over 21 minutes of play, they hardly captured the full extent of his influence. His overall performance exemplified precisely why Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault valued his presence on the court.
“I think it’s huge,” Hartenstein remarked to The Athletic after the Thunder’s 120-109 triumph on Monday night. “I bring different skill sets and can shift my role, which is vital. In this series, my focus has shifted to facilitating for others, and being selfless in that way truly benefits the team.”
In the lead-up to Game 5, Daigneault, known for his subtle communications, briefly expounded on Indiana’s intense ball pressure, which he criticized in light of his team’s offensive execution in Game 4. The pressure strategy aims to disrupt Oklahoma City’s tempo by deploying multiple defenders high on the floor to force turnovers and create chaos.
Such an aggressive strategy inevitably comes with its own risks—a fact Daigneault referred to as “the cost of doing business.” However, he recognized that Hartenstein’s exceptional screening proficiency was a perfect countermeasure. Bball-Index ranks him in the 80th percentile for screening ability and in the 96th percentile for screen assists per 75 possessions. Regardless of his positioning, his talent for clearing defenders allows guards like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams—who collectively scored 71 points in Game 5—ample space to maneuver and exploit mismatches.
“I bet Zay is probably tired of screening for me,” Williams said. “Over the course of the game, you have to commend Indiana for maintaining their pressure. Anytime you have someone who can relieve that pressure, it creates more room and helps accelerate the offense. That’s essential.”
During the playoffs, Hartenstein’s use of floaters has significantly diminished, yet he remains a productive figure in the Thunder’s half-court offense. Oklahoma City capitalizes on Hartenstein’s playmaking abilities outside of the typical Gilgeous-Alexander/Williams dynamic, as he displays an uncanny knack for delivering precise bounce passes to cutters.
While Daigneault had logical reasoning for starting reserve guard Cason Wallace over Hartenstein, the latter’s court vision and timing are often underrated within the Thunder’s framework. His playmaking is particularly noteworthy concerning his position—as noted by Cleaning the Glass, he boasts a 1.06 assist-to-usage ratio, placing him in the 90th percentile among big men. Although he appeared in only 57 games this season, which removed him from certain statistical rankings, his average of 3.8 assists per game highlights his selflessness which integrates seamlessly with top-tier talents. Three of the Thunder’s first six assists in the game were credited to him for instinctive plays like this:
“I think it’s just about playing alongside my teammates,” Hartenstein reflected. “I had the privilege of starting even during my Houston days—I owe a lot to players like James Harden and Chris Paul for the lessons they taught me.”
Conversely, Hartenstein’s defensive versatility is where he truly excels. His rim protection—rated in the 95th percentile by Bball-Index—stands out on its own. Nonetheless, the Thunder’s defense is a collective effort, requiring their bigs to be reliable both in the restricted area and within their adaptive zone. In the following possession, Hartenstein shows his prowess by switching at the nail, sprinting to the top of a 2-3 hybrid zone, holding his ground, and ultimately collecting a defensive rebound.
Per NBA.com tracking data, Hartenstein had averaged just over seven minutes in first quarters throughout the playoffs. In Game 5, he logged nearly nine minutes. This slight increase, though seemingly minor, provided him with more chances to be the infectious source of energy his teammates have embraced and mirrored.
Hartenstein takes on the less glamorous yet crucial tasks for Oklahoma City. As an enforcer within a balanced team, he isn’t afraid to engage physically when necessary. He goes after loose balls, sacrificing himself for second-chance opportunities. Thunderclouds result from a buildup of electrical charges, and Hartenstein—a dynamic energy source in his own right—plays an integral role in why Oklahoma City stands just one victory away from achieving greatness.
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Kelly Iko is a staff writer covering the Houston Rockets and the NBA for The Athletic. Previously, he worked with USA Today and ESPN Houston. Follow Kelly on Twitter @KellyIko.
