The Thunder have been on fire all season! Since having their fifteen-game winning streak snapped by the Cavs last week, they have regained their groove and are currently on another three-game run of victories. Obviously, this puts them comfortably on top of the West standings. But as they prepare to take on Donovan Mitchell and Co. once again tomorrow, the Thunder have suffered a massive setback with Isaiah Hartenstein’s unfortunate injury, leaving their fanbase concerned.

Turns out, the big man suffered a left soleus strain during last night’s Sixers clash. He will be re-evaluated next week. That means he will not be suiting up for tomorrow’s crucial encounter. Obviously, this is a massive blow to the team because Hartenstein is having a career year, averaging 11.8 points and over twelve rebounds, despite missing the initial stretch.

Sure enough, Thunder fans were left heartbroken after hearing the news about Isaiah’s injury, and comments like “You gotta be kidding me” and “NOOOOO” began flooding in.

Well, the timing of his injury couldn’t have been worse because OKC was just on the verge of having Chet Holmgren back. Yes, the seven-footer has been out since November 10 with a right iliac wing fracture from landing awkwardly during the Warriors game.

Recent reports, though, suggest that he might be nearing his return, as Chet was seen getting some shots up during the team shootaround in Philly. He even revealed how badly he wants to suit up again with his four-word message, “Miss dis Shi bad.”

Of course, Chet’s return would be a massive boost for the team, as he was in elite form before injury, averaging 16.4 points and nearly 9 rebounds. But it is unlikely that he will play tomorrow and now that Hartenstein is also out, OKC is at risk of losing to the Cavs yet again.

Thunder fans fear getting “cooked” by Cavs, amid Isaiah Hartenstein’s injury

As dominant as the Cavs have been this season, they will surely exploit OKC’s interior defense now that Hartenstein is unavailable. And fans fear exactly that, as one wrote “Cavs gonna fry us” and another said, “We’re cooked.” Well, they are the only team in the league with a better record than the Thunder and they have already beaten them once. It could happen again tomorrow. On the contrary, though, OKC could beat the Cleveland side and yet nobody would be surprised! It’s that kind of tie, best of the best esque.

Obviously, the Cavs have two elite big men who have been dominant all year long. And netizens expect them to have an epic performance amid OKC’s lack of size for tomorrow’s game, “Jarret Allen might have 40 rebounds.”

Both Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley have been monsters on the board this season, which is one of the reasons why their team has lost only five games. The concerning factor, though, has been how the media has not given them enough attention.

Yes, LeBron’s former side has felt a disparity in the media coverage this season. With the more popular teams having lackluster seasons in the West, players like Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell have doubled down on the narrative, asserting that they ‘deserved’ more attention from the broadcasting media and analysts. Players begging for attention? Should it be that way, though?

Coming back to the Pacers, with Isaiah out, fans predicted the replacement for him, “JDub at the 5 again 👀”.

Yes, both Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams could see themselves playing Center tomorrow, hoping to force-contain Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. But it will surely be a difficult challenge to overcome. Do you think the Thunder can win despite the setback?