NBA Notes: Thunder, Isaiah Hartenstein, Knicks, Blazers, Donovan Clingan

Thunder

The Thunder have a wealth of offensive threats, from MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Jalen Williams and a blossoming Aaron Wiggins. However, the center position has been less of a focus. While young big man Chet Holmgren has shown the versatility to play forward, Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder’s only true center, has seen a reduced role offensively.

This shift can be attributed to several factors, wrote Michael Stamps of SI.com. OKC’s backcourt depth, bolstered by Williams and the strong guard play, often takes center stage in the offense, limiting opportunities for Hartenstein to score.

When three-point shots aren’t falling or guards aren’t producing, there could be an opening for Hartenstein to contribute more.

A skilled scorer in the paint and an even more capable passer, Hartenstein can act as an offensive hub when needed. His solid performance in a November game against the Trail Blazers, where he posted 13 points and four assists, highlighted his ability to create space for teammates and himself, showcasing his basketball IQ and passing vision.

But Hartenstein’s offensive involvement has decreased in recent weeks. His shot attempts have dropped from 8.4 per game to 7.5 over the last month, a trend that correlates with the dominant ball-handling play of Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Wiggins.

As ball-dominant scorers, they often create opportunities for themselves through movement, a style that doesn’t always leave room for Hartenstein’s contributions.

While Hartenstein remains an impactful player, the Thunder will need him to return to the level of play he displayed early in the season for continued success.

Knicks

The Knicks dropped back-to-back games, falling to the Cavaliers and Celtics, with both defeats coming by double digits. The 37-point loss to the Cavs marked the worst defeat under coach Tom Thibodeau.

So it’s no surprise that NBA.com writer John Schuhmann moved the Knicks down one spot to No. 6 in his weekly power rankings.

“The Knicks remain winless against the three best teams in the league, now 0-7 after ugly losses in Cleveland and Boston over the weekend,” Schuhmann wrote. “Six of those seven losses have come by double digits, and the Knicks have trailed each of the last four by at least 27 points. They’ve allowed 127.9 points per 100 possessions over the seven games, including 79 on 54 (1.46 per) over their two first quarters over the weekend.”

Despite a brief rally in their Sunday game against the Celtics, where the Knicks cut a 27-point deficit down to four, they remain one of four teams — along with the Sixers, Jazz, and Wizards — without a win (0-13) after trailing by at least 15 points. They are also one of two teams, alongside the Nuggets, without a loss (26-0) after leading by 15 or more points.

The teams ahead of the Knicks in the power rankings are the Nuggets, Lakers, Cavs, Celtics, and Thunder.

There is, however, some reason for optimism. The Knicks’ schedule is set to ease up, and the team is expected to get center Mitchell Robinson back in the coming games, providing them with added depth as the season progresses.