Oklahoma City is expected to have its starting center back on the floor this weekend. After sitting out the past six games with a right soleus (calf) strain, Isaiah Hartenstein is no longer listed on the Thunder’s injury report for Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinal against the San Antonio Spurs.
The 27-year-old’s anticipated return follows the reappearance of two other key defenders. Luguentz Dort (right adductor strain) and Alex Caruso (right quad contusion) were both available for Wednesday’s quarterfinal victory over the Phoenix Suns after missing three and four games, respectively.
Cason Wallace, the league leader in steals at 2.3 per contest, will also be active Saturday. The rookie guard exited Wednesday’s matchup early after absorbing a hard screen from Suns center Mark Williams but was not placed on the injury list.
Oklahoma City carries a franchise-record 16-game winning streak into Saturday’s game. The defending champions are 24-1, matching the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors for the best 25-game start in NBA history.
Asked postgame Wednesday how his team has avoided complacency, head coach Mark Daigneault emphasized staying in the moment. “Anything in the past takes you out of the present moment. Anything in the future takes you out of the present moment. And the competition happens in the present moment,” he said.
Source: Hoops Rumors
