The Thunder pulled off a strong performance in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, evening the series at 1-1.
After witnessing Victor Wembanyama excel in the first game, Oklahoma City head coach Mark Daigneault opted to adjust the lineup, giving more minutes to center Isaiah Hartenstein, who had only played 12 minutes before. This decision proved crucial.
The seven-footer significantly contributed on defense against Wembanyama and was dominant on the boards for 27 minutes.
Hartenstein secured 13 rebounds, including a game-leading eight offensive rebounds, which helped the Thunder close the gap from their previous rebounding deficit in Game 1.
He managed to score against Wembanyama in the paint, racking up 10 points with push-shot floaters from around 10 feet out, rather than attempting shots over the towering 7-foot-4 shot blocker.
Wembanyama seemed less invincible when matched against a player like Hartenstein, who could hold his own in size and strength.
The French star, who posted impressive numbers of 41 points and 24 rebounds in Game 1, mellowed down to 21 points and 17 rebounds this time around.
Going into Game 3, Hartenstein might face increased expectations. After stabilizing the matchup with Wembanyama and helping shift the rebounding momentum back toward his team, Daigneault likely has little incentive to revert to the narrower rotation that had backfired in Game 1.
Following a double-double on Wednesday night, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Hartenstein replicate that success in Game 3 as the series heads to San Antonio.
