Alex Caruso, Isaiah Hartenstein exit with injuries as Thunder edge Knicks 103-100
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NEW YORK — The Oklahoma City Thunder lost two key rotation players to injuries during Wednesday night’s 103-100 victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Guard Alex Caruso was diagnosed with a left hip contusion, while center Isaiah Hartenstein left with left calf tightness. Both were ruled out for the remainder of the game midway through the fourth quarter, head coach Mark Daigneault told reporters.
Caruso was hurt with 4:05 remaining in the third quarter after leaping for a loose ball and crashing to the floor. He limped to the locker room and did not return to the bench. “I’m a little sore, but I’m fine,” Caruso said afterward, adding he believed he was struck on the hip while airborne.
Hartenstein, who has missed two previous stretches this season because of the same calf, logged 17 scoreless minutes, collecting five rebounds before exiting. He and MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had both sat out Tuesday’s game in Chicago for injury maintenance. “He was on the bench and then I was told he was out,” Daigneault said. “I’m not sure if there was a specific play.”
The defending NBA champions have navigated a steady stream of absences all year. Forwards Jalen Williams (hamstring strain) and Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain, ankle sprain) remain sidelined, and Gilgeous-Alexander has also missed time with various ailments. Despite the setbacks, Oklahoma City improved to 4-0 on its current streak and has won eight of its past 10, maintaining a 3.5-game cushion over the San Antonio Spurs for the Western Conference’s top seed.
Chet Holmgren paced the Thunder with 28 points and eight rebounds, while Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 26 points and eight assists. The club’s league-best 24-1 start continues to underpin its position atop the standings.
Source: ESPN
