Thunder’s Isaiah Hartenstein will return from injury against the Trail Blazers

After missing the last five games, Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein is no longer on the team’s injury report. Hartenstein suffered a calf injury earlier this month but will join the Thunder on their two-game road trip starting Sunday vs Portland Trail Blazers.

Hartenstein joins Thunder, looking to bounce back from a 121-115 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Hartenstein rejoins Jaylin Williams and Oklahoma City’s frontcourt. No word on whether he’ll repeat his starting spot or be under a minute limit. However, his return is a good sign for Oklahoma City, as the veteran center has been productive on both ends of the floor.

Through 24 games, Isaiah Hartenstein is averaging career bests in points (11.8), rebounds (12.2), assists (4.1) and blocks (1.3) this season. And while the Thunder welcome him back, they will face the Trail Blazers without starting guard Lou Dort. He was ruled out of Sunday’s contest with a sore right knee.

Dort is averaging 9.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks this season. It’s only his second game this season.

Jalen Williams revealed the latest on his recent hip injury

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylen Williams continues to step up his All-Star streak case this season, but recently suffered an injury scare last week. Williams suffered a hip injury in last week’s 106-98 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, forcing him to miss Sunday’s 127-101 win against the Brooklyn Nets.

Williams returned for the Thunder’s 123-114 win against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday and discussed his recovery process that allowed him to play.

“I think we had a pretty good strategy. “Obviously, I was hurt, and it was one of those things where I could play and risk messing up something else with my hip or get those four days and give up the game,” Williams said. “I didn’t really want to do it, but it definitely worked out because I feel good now.”

Williams had 25 points, three rebounds and two steals in the comeback against the Jazz. He then had a game-high 33 points, seven assists, four steals and one block in the Thunder’s 121-115 loss to the Mavericks. He made 7 of 10 from the free throw line after going 6 of 7 against the Mavericks.

Free throw attempts have been the center of attention for Williams this season. And that has paid off significantly lately. Williams is averaging 21.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.8 steals this season. The Thunder are tied with the Cleveland Cavs for the best record in the NBA (36-8).