Hartenstein has 33 points and 19 rebounds to help the Thunder rout the Kings

Hartenstein Leads Thunder to Dominant Win Over Kings

Isaiah Hartenstein recorded a career-high 33 points and 19 rebounds, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a convincing 132-101 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Friday night.

Hartenstein’s Career Performance

The 7-foot center shot 14 of 17 from the field and contributed three assists and three blocks. His dominant presence in the paint set the tone for the Thunder early on.

“It was a complete game from start to finish,” said a Thunder teammate, highlighting Hartenstein’s efficiency.

Supporting Cast and Team Effort

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 30 points, helping Oklahoma City improve to a 9-1 record and rebound quickly after their only loss of the season in Portland. Cason Wallace scored 15 points, while Isaiah Joe added 13 as the Thunder opened their NBA Cup tournament campaign with a win.

Battle in the Paint and Key Absence

Oklahoma City outscored Sacramento 60-34 in the paint, capitalizing on the absence of Domantas Sabonis, who missed his second straight game with sore ribs. Without him, the Kings struggled to match the Thunder’s interior defense and rebounding power.

Westbrook vs. Former Team

Sacramento’s Russell Westbrook, facing the team he once led for nine seasons and where he remains the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, posted 24 points and nine assists against his former club.

“It’s always special playing in Oklahoma City,” Westbrook said following the game.

Series Context

This marked the Thunder’s second win over the Kings in 11 days. In their previous matchup, Oklahoma City played without Chet Holmgren while Sacramento had a healthy Sabonis. This time, the roles were reversed—Holmgren contributed 10 points and seven rebounds as Sabonis sat out.

Author’s summary: Hartenstein’s breakout performance and the Thunder’s dominant paint play fueled a statement win over a Sabonis-less Kings, showcasing Oklahoma City’s depth and resilience early in the season.

Newsday — 2025-11-08