Mayor Holt Declares Nov. 21 Isaiah Hartenstein Day as Thunder Big Man Shines in Debut
OKLAHOMA CITY – In a celebration that might warrant an official proclamation, Mayor Holt may as well declare November 21 as Isaiah Hartenstein Day after the big man’s sensational debut for the Oklahoma City Thunder. The anticipation for Hartenstein, the team’s most significant free agent signing at three years and $87 million, reached fever pitch after he missed the first 16 games of the season due to a preseason hand injury.
In Wednesday’s game, Hartenstein made an unforgettable entrance, posting a historic debut with 14 rebounds—the highest for any Thunder player in their first game with the franchise. He contributed 13 points, three assists, and four blocks, finishing with a game-high plus-minus of plus-16. His performance provided a vital boost to an offense that has struggled at times but showed significant improvement with his presence.
Hartenstein’s impact extends beyond scoring. He plays a crucial role in anchoring the Thunder’s defense, particularly in the absence of standout defender Chet Holmgren and backup Jaylin Williams. With Hartenstein patrolling the paint, Oklahoma City’s perimeter defenders were able to play more aggressively, resulting in a remarkable 22 forced turnovers and limiting the opposition to just 32 points in the paint.
Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander summed up Hartenstein’s contribution succinctly: "He’s an anchor. He sees everything. Let’s you know early and loud. It’s great to have that behind you."
The Thunder’s fans are excited about what the future holds as they embrace their newest star. For more discussions and updates on the team, follow Thunder on SI on social media.
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