Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Highlights 2-Man Game with Isaiah Hartenstein
The shorthanded Oklahoma City Thunder, missing Aaron Wiggins and Lu Dort for their NBA Cup matchup against the Sacramento Kings, jumped to an early double-digit lead fueled by All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and center Isaiah Hartenstein.
Hartenstein's Career Night Sets the Tone
Isaiah Hartenstein delivered a standout performance in the first half with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds. He continued to dominate in the second half, surpassing his previous career-high before the final quarter began.
Impressive Alley-Oop Connection
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sets Isaiah Hartenstein perfectly on the lob 🙌
Late in the third quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander found Hartenstein for a spectacular alley-oop that helped the Thunder regain their double-digit lead.
Statistical Highlights
- Isaiah Hartenstein finished with a career-best 31 points on 13-of-16 shooting.
- He grabbed 19 rebounds, dished out three assists, blocked three shots, and recorded one steal.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played a key role in facilitating the offense throughout the game.
The Thunder look poised to improve to 9-1 overall and 1-0 in NBA Cup play with this strong showing.
Post-Game Outlook
Despite a close 121-119 loss to the Trail Blazers earlier this week, Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein remained optimistic about the team's future.
Author's summary: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Isaiah Hartenstein led the Thunder’s strong performance with a dynamic partnership, highlighted by Hartenstein's career night and key plays that inspired confidence for upcoming games.