Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein suffered a non-displaced fracture in his left hand and will be re-evaluated in five-to-six weeks, the team announced Thursday.
Hartenstein sustained the injury in Tuesday’s preseason victory over the Denver Nuggets.
The 26-year-old signed a reported three-year, $87-million contract with Oklahoma City this offseason following two campaigns with the New York Knicks and was a candidate to start at center for the Thunder. Hartenstein averaged 7.0 rebounds, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in three preseason matchups with Oklahoma City.
In his absence, the Thunder will likely shift Chet Holmgren back to the five in their starting lineup, a spot he played throughout his rookie campaign. Oklahoma City’s other significant offseason addition, Alex Caruso, is the most probable option to replace Hartenstein in the starting lineup.
