Holmgren–Hartenstein Frontcourt Powers Thunder to 2-0 Lead on Lakers

Overview

• Powered by their starting bigs, the Thunder took a 2-0 series lead over the Lakers as Chet Holmgren posted 22 points with nine rebounds and four steals, and Isaiah Hartenstein added 10 points, nine boards, two steals and two blocks.
• The once-awkward pairing now dominates in the data, with OKC outscoring opponents by 20.9 points per 100 possessions this season when Holmgren and Hartenstein share the floor, up from +13.5 last year.
• Coach Mark Daigneault stuck with the experiment and says it worked because the team committed to fitting two of its best players together.
• General manager Sam Presti rebuilt the front line by signing Hartenstein to a three-year, $87 million deal and swapping Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso to add size, toughness and perimeter defense.
• Depth pieces sharpen the look, as Jaylin Williams supplies shooting, passing and charge-taking that keeps the double-big approach flexible against both big and small lineups.