With a successful Game 4 against Lakers in mind, the Thunder looks to their big man for another dominant performance.
Apr 5, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein drives past Utah Jazz center Oscar Tshiebwe during the second quarter at Paycom Center.
Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Imageslead the Los Angeles Lakers 3-0 in the second round of the playoffs. OKC has had dominant performances across the board, as they have yet to win a game by less than 18 points against the Lakers. Now with Game 4 approaching Monday night, the Thunder are looking to put all the pieces back into place one final time to close out the series.
OKC will need its players to step up once again, including its big man, who has been one of the most efficient players in the series. Isaiah Hartenstein has been a guaranteed bucket the last couple of games for the Thunder. The big man has not had a game this postseason where he has shot worse than 50%, and has not had a game in round two where he has shot worse than 83%.
This isn’t due to a lack of shooting, as Hartenstein is averaging the most postseason points of his career with 10.6 points per game. This boost in scoring for Oklahoma City’s veteran big man has made this playoff run possible and could continue to make it dominant. In the first round, Hartenstein showed out in Game 4 to help OKC complete the sweep of Phoenix.
He had a postseason high of 18 points on 71.4% shooting to come through big for the Thunder. Hartenstein also displayed another one of hisHartenstein’s work on the glass this postseason has made him indispensable, averaging 8.6 rebounds per game and almost four offensive rebounds per game. The Thunder will need him to display this once again in Game 4 against Deandre Ayton, who has been a tough opponent on the glass, averaging four offensive rebounds per game himself.
The Thunder big man will need to be looking for opportunities to score during Monday night’s game, as he exploded in the last series closer by getting to the foul line, making eight free throws. If Hartenstein can get the defense to collapse on him, he can draw an easy foul or, as his 3.5 postseason assists per game showcase, find the open man.for the Laker frontcourt to handle, and the big man must continue to exploit this.
If he continues to take high percentage shots and make them as he usually does, history could repeat itself by Hartenstein helping lead Oklahoma City to a Game 4 victory. Grayson is majoring in sports media at Oklahoma State University. He’s covered various sports in the states since 2024. Read the Letter Oklahoma City’s Mayor Sent Los Angeles’s Mayor About Hosting Olympic Events
Isaiah Hartenstein Oklahoma City Thunder Lakers Playoff Run NBA Playoff Performance Dominant Performances Efficient Shooting Isaiah Hartenstein Oklahoma City's Veteran Big Man Game 4 Deandre Ayton
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