Against the Bucks, many headlines talk about the production of Jalen Brunson, who showed why he is a star. He scored a game-high 43 points, dominating his matchup with fellow NBA All-Star Damian Lillard.
While Brunson led the way, he wasn’t the only player producing at a high level for the Knicks in the win. Another standout was center Isaiah Hartenstein, who must hear the cha-ching every night he steps on the field.
On Sunday night, Hartenstein posted his ninth double-double of the season, posting 18 points and 10 rebounds. He is taking full advantage of Burnson’s opponents doubling them once he gets past the halfway line, looking for his shot or making a pass to an open teammate.
But there’s one play Hartenstein was involved in that stands out in Sunday’s matchup with the Bucks. In the fourth quarter, as New York ran, there was a loose ball on the field.
Hartenstein was the first to take the field, beating Lillard and passing the ball into the hands of Donte DiVincenzo. He passed the ball ahead to Bojan Bogdanovic for an easy two, giving the Knicks a 10-point lead. It was a play that caught the attention of coach Tom Thibodeau, who praised Hartenstein’s hustle in his postgame presser.
“It was amazing. These are the types of shows, they inspire, they unite. If that doesn’t excite you, you guys are probably excited too,” Thibodeau said, via Fred Katz of The Athletic.