Emotions flared between two former Knicks players on Friday night.
Obi Toppin and Isaiah Hartenstein found themselves in a heated moment after Toppin’s hard foul on Oklahoma City’s Alex Caruso during the second quarter of Game 4, which the Thunder won 111-104, securing the NBA Finals. Toppin, now 27, landed a significant foul that had Hartenstein, also 27, rushing to confront him.
After reviewing the incident, officials handed out technical fouls to both players, attempting to defuse the situation.
Toppin, picked eighth by the Knicks in the 2020 NBA Draft, was traded to the Indiana Pacers ahead of the 2023-24 season, receiving two future second-round picks in return. During Hartenstein’s time with the Knicks, they were teammates for a season before the team allowed him to leave free agency last year. He later signed a lucrative three-year deal with the Thunder worth $87 million.
Hartenstein had previously commented, “It was clever. I think it was ideal for both sides. Things are really going well for me here. New York has one of the best centers in the league now, so it works out.”
Even though the Knicks offered him a four-year deal totaling $72 million, Hartenstein emphasized that money wasn’t his only motivation. He mentioned wanting to find his role, which involved defending and rebounding, and setting up teammates like Jalen Brunson. “You have to adapt to your role,” he said, recognizing how that was shifting for him now.
In the matchup, Hartenstein capped his performance with two points, two assists, and six rebounds, helping the Thunder tie the series at two games apiece. Toppin contributed 17 points and seven assists, which, unfortunately, came in a losing effort for the Pacers.
Game 5 is set for Monday night in Oklahoma City.
