I-Hart still hearts the New York Knicks. Chasing a big contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder may sullied his reputation among some Manhattanites, but Isaiah H

Isaiah Hartenstein demonstrated what the role could be at its peak. The job as the Knicks’ backup center — at the time occupying the spot behind an injury-prone Mitchell Robinson on the depth chart — could serve as a launchpad to an $87 million deal in free agency. To pricing out of the Knicks’ maximum offer due to the early Bird rights.

It was a happy return to Manhattan for Isaiah Hartenstein, whose Oklahoma City Thunder dismantled the Knicks by a 126-101 final on Friday night at Madison Square Garden. The Western Conference-leading Thunder earned a two-game sweep of the Knicks after previously prevailing in a 117-107 home win last weekend.

Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein signed a three-year, $87 million deal over the summer after two seasons with the New York Knicks. However, he still follows his former team, which he admitted to rooting for during the Knicks’ Christmas Day matchup against the San Antonio Spurs.

The New York Knicks knew that trading for stars like Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges would be a massive gamble while moving on from several key stalwarts from last season's playoff run. The point of gambling, though, is the chance to come out as a big winner.

The 26-year-old Trae Young only added to the venom — which he has called “a love-hate relationship — earlier this season when he mockingly imitated rolling a pair of dice on the Knicks’ midcourt

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.

Friday night marked Isaiah Hartenstein’s first time back at The Garden since leaving the Knicks this offseason, and the hometown crowd was sure to give him a warm welcome.

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 and the Oklahoma City Thunder outscored their opponent 37-19 in the final frame of their 117-107 win against the New York Knicks. Aaron Wiggins supplied 12 of the Thunder’s ...

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 27 points and 10 assists in three quarters, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Brooklyn Nets 127-101 on Sunday night. Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s leading scorer, sat out Friday’s loss at Dallas with a sprained right wrist.

"The Rematch" resulted in the Cavaliers' worst loss. Trailing by as many as 42 points, Cleveland's league-best offense suddenly stopped producing points. Donovan Mitchell continues to struggle against the Thunder. Meanwhile, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen were no-shows.