For the first time in his six-year career, Isaiah Hartenstein has proven to himself and his doubters that he can put up big numbers while logging significant minutes in the NBA over an extended period of time.
The Knicks center also admitted Saturday before the 113-105 loss to the Lakers that the timing couldn’t have been better for his career, with unrestricted free agency looming this summer.
Hartenstein, who has been given a larger role since Mitchell Robinson underwent ankle surgery in December, reiterated that he hopes to remain with the Knicks on his next contract.
“Oh, it was great timing. I’m not going to lie about that, but at the end of the day, I love it here in New York,” Hartenstein said before scoring six points and grabbing 15 rebounds in the Knicks’ loss. he said.
“The plan would be to stay, but at the end of the day you can’t predict what will happen. So we have to take it game by game.
“But I love New York, I love the fans, and I think that’s special. And I love winning, and I think that’s the biggest thing.”
The Knicks are 15-3 since Jan. 1 and were on a nine-game winning streak before the streak came to a halt Saturday night.
Hartenstein, 25, appeared in 15 of 17 games prior to Saturday, averaging 8.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots in 32 minutes.
The Knicks, who signed Hartenstein to a two-year contract worth $16 million through free agency in 2022, own Hartenstein’s “early bird” rights and can re-sign him over the salary cap. means.
Hartenstein missed two games in January with a lingering Achilles issue, but his increased playing time will likely continue for some time, but the Knicks haven’t ruled out the possibility of Robinson returning later in the season.
“I feel like I’ve played like this in the past, but I don’t think it’s ever lasted more than two months consistently. I’m going to prove to myself that I can be a starter in the NBA. I think I just did it,” Hartenstein said.
“And part of it is that we’re still winning. I feel like I can be a starter and do great on a losing team, but that doesn’t really mean much. Just being able to play a role and play a lot of minutes on a winning team, I think that says a lot.”
OG Anunoby missed his fourth straight game with right elbow inflammation, and Quentin Grimes missed his second straight game with a sprained right knee.
Tom Thibodeau said Grimes is “working a little harder” on the court, but both players are staying in shape day-to-day.
