The New York Knicks: don't knock them until you've tried them. Isaiah Hartenstein has spent the past three seasons at the opposite ends of the NBA rotation mana

But with Hartenstein, the Knicks were limited to offering a max of four years, $72.5 million. The Thunder gave up three years, $87 million. The reason for New York’s restrictions was it originally signed Hartenstein to a two-year deal, so operated with only his partial Bird Rights. Oklahoma City signed him using straight cap space.

Twenty-one games into his tenure with Oklahoma City, Isaiah has adapted. Still, playing at Madison Square Garden for the first time since Hartenstein signed a three-year deal, $87 million contract with the Thunder, the venue Isaiah called home for two seasons, is unique.

Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein is out at least a week with a calf issue and will be re-evaluated after that.

Isaiah Hartenstein missed the first month with a fractured hand — and now will miss at least a week with a calf strain. The Thunder are back to their small-ball era. The gap between Holmgren's injury and Hartenstein's return lasted over a week in Nov.

Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein popped up on the injury report for Thursday’s matchup against the Cleveland Cavs after the team announced the veteran has a left calf injury. Hartenstein suffered the injury in a 118-102 win against the Philadelphia 76ers and will be out for the foreseeable future.

Although the Thunder have experience in using their small ball lineup, this matchup may prove to be a bit more difficult.