Isaiah Hartenstein of the Oklahoma City Thunder will miss the start of the 2024-25 NBA season due to a small, non-displaced fracture in his left hand, sustained during a preseason game against the Denver Nuggets. The injury will sideline him for at least five to six weeks, delaying his debut with the Thunder, who signed him to a three-year, $87 million contract to bolster their frontcourt alongside Chet Holmgren. Oklahoma City, which was the Western Conference's top seed last season, faces challenges with Hartenstein's absence, as he was expected to address the team's rebounding deficiencies. During his tenure with the New York Knicks, Hartenstein averaged 7.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, showcasing his rebounding and defensive capabilities. The Thunder's depth will be tested further as they also deal with injuries to other key players like Jaylin Williams.