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How Isaiah Hartenstein exposed a major weakness in Victor Wembanyama
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- How Isaiah Hartenstein exposed a major weakness in Victor Wembanyama
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Spurs vs Thunder: How Hartenstein made the difference in game 2
Victor Wembanyama was at the heart of San Antonio’s win over Oklahoma City, putting up 41 points, 24 rebounds and getting to the line 13 times. Most of his impact came inside, which is exactly where the Spurs wanted him operating. But just two nights later, Oklahoma City responded with a 122-113 win in Game 2, and this time, Isaiah Hartenstein played a key role in changing Wembanyama’s game.
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Game 2 told a different story. While Wembanyama still managed three triples and found ways to contribute, he was kept further from the basket. The Thunder made him work harder for his points, and that version of San Antonio’s offence was much easier to handle.
Wembanyama had a dominant showing in the opener, using his size to get to the rim and draw contact, allowing him to control the flow of San Antonio’s attack without having to force shots from outside.
But that changed in Game 2. He took seven threes but got to the line just twice, a clear departure from how he had been operating inside in the series opener.
The numbers tell the story. Wembanyama shot 12-for-13 from the line in Game 1. In Game 2, he went just 2-for-2. He also attempted only two threes in the first game compared to seven attempts later on.
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That shift is more important than how many points he scores overall. Oklahoma City doesn’t need him gone from the game plan; it needs him playing further away from where he does his best work.
Photo by David Berding/Getty Images
Hartenstein’s impact showed up long before the box score
Looking at the box score won’t tell you much about Hartenstein’s night. His main task was to keep Wembanyama away from his preferred spots, meeting him early and forcing him to start possessions farther from the basket. The film from Game 2 showed just how often he was bumping, chesting up and denying easy position before the ball even arrived.
That kind of defence isn’t always rewarded with a highlight play. More often, it leads to a star settling for shots he can hit but doesn’t fully control.
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This approach worked in Oklahoma City’s favour. Wembanyama still got his numbers, but he did so in ways that allowed the Thunder to stay organised and connected across the floor.
Hartenstein also brought a different look compared to Chet Holmgren alone. While Holmgren uses his length to disrupt shots, Hartenstein added physical strength and constant pressure before Wembanyama even had a chance to establish himself.
Hartenstein’s impact isn’t always clear from his stat line. His main job was to meet Wembanyama early, push him off his preferred spots and make sure every catch started a step further out. Film from Game 2 showed how he used chesting, bumping and constant off-ball pressure to keep Wembanyama away from easy post positions.
That kind of defence doesn’t always show up with blocks or steals. Often, it just means the opposing star is taking shots he can make but doesn’t fully control.
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That version of the matchup worked better for Oklahoma City. Wembanyama still put up numbers, but they came in ways that didn’t force the Thunder to overreact defensively.
Hartenstein also provided a different look compared to Chet Holmgren alone. While Holmgren uses length to alter shots, Hartenstein added lower-body strength and physical contact before the ball even arrived.
Free-throw drop shows clear shift in approach
The difference between how he played in Game 1 and Game 2 comes down to where he was getting his looks on the floor. In Game 1, Wembanyama went 12-for-13 at the line. In Game 2, that number dropped all the way down to just two attempts from the stripe.
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This wasn’t just about officiating trends — it was about Oklahoma City pushing him further away from comfortable spots and allowing their help defence more time to recover behind plays. Hartenstein gave them an extra second on each catch by pushing him further outside early on possessions.
He also helped push Wembanyama towards being more of a perimeter scorer than an interior one by limiting touches close enough where fouls would stack up quickly again like they did before adjustments were made between games one and two (Wemby went three for seven).
How Oklahoma City defended Wembanyama better in Game 2
Wembanyama’s 41-point Game 1 performance left the Thunder searching for answers, and Isaiah Hartenstein played a key role in adjusting their approach. Instead of matching Wembanyama’s length, Hartenstein used his physicality to disrupt him earlier in possessions.
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By constantly bumping and denying easy post position, he made sure Wembanyama’s touches started farther from the basket. That subtle shift allowed Oklahoma City to keep him out of his most dominant spots.
San Antonio was already missing De’Aaron Fox before the series began, and then lost Dylan Harper during Game 2. Without those ball-handlers, San Antonio struggled to create clean entry passes for Wembanyama. Oklahoma City took advantage by ramping up guard pressure and making it even harder for the Spurs to find their offensive rhythm.
Overpowering Wembanyama was never a viable strategy. Oklahoma City’s route is to keep him productive without letting him dictate the geometry of every possession.
Hartenstein’s physical approach, with help behind it, gave the Thunder that path in Game 2.
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The series is tied 1-1 heading back to San Antonio, and Game 3 on May 22 will test whether Oklahoma City can keep making Wembanyama work this far from the rim.
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