The team announced that Oklahoma City Thunder midfielder Isaiah Hartenstein will miss Thursday’s game between the two teams with the best records in the NBA, due to a strain in the left sole.
According to the Thunder, Hartenstein suffered the injury during Tuesday’s win over the Philadelphia 76ers and his condition will be re-evaluated in approximately one week.
The 33-6 Thunder face the 34-5 Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday in Oklahoma City, a rematch of the Cavaliers’ Dec. 8 home win that snapped the Thunder’s 15-game winning streak.
This will be the second stretch this season in which the Thunder don’t have any of their seven feet. Oklahoma City took a 3-2 lead in the period between Chet Holmgren’s fractured pelvis and Hartenstein’s debut of the season, which was delayed by a fractured left hand.
Holmgren, who was injured in the first half of Oklahoma City’s Nov. 10 loss to the Golden State Warriors, has begun doing simple basketball activities like spot-shooting as he gradually prepares for his return.
Hartenstein, who signed a three-year, $87 million contract last summer in free agency to join the Thunder, is averaging career highs of 11.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.3 blocks.
Oklahoma City has a 22-2 record when Hartenstein plays.
