Emotions got high between two former Knicks on Friday night.
Obi Toppin and Isaiah Hartenstein got into it throughout the Thunder’s 111-104 Game 4 win within the NBA Finals after Toppin committed a tough foul on Oklahoma City guard Alex Caruso.
Toppin, 27, received a flagrant 1 after stiff-arming Caruso to the bottom while the 31-year-old was driving in for a layup midway through the second quarter.
Hartenstein, 27, rushed over to confront Toppin shortly after the play, with the pair having to be held back by referees after the Brooklyn native shoved the Thunder center.
After the officials eventually broke up the altercation, each Toppin and Hartenstein were issued technicals following a review.
Toppin, who was drafted by the Knicks with the No. 8 pick within the 2020 NBA Draft, was dealt to Indiana for 2 future second-round picks ahead of the 2023-24 season.
Each were teammates on the Knicks throughout the 2022-23 season during Hartenstein’s first of two seasons with the team.
The Knicks ultimately let Hartenstein walk during last 12 months’s free agency, when he signed a three-year deal value $87 million with the Thunder, a contract that he believed ended up figuring out for each side.
“It was smart,” Hartenstein said before a game between the Knicks and Thunder in January. “I feel it was for each parties, it was perfect. I’m in a situation here where it’s going really good. They got an important center, among the finest centers within the league.
“So I feel for each parties it was perfect. Knowing Leon Rose, he’ll at all times find something. He’s been doing an important job, so he made the fitting adjustment.”
Despite the Knicks only offering Hartenstein a four-year contract value $72 million, the large man insisted that he didn’t leave solely for the cash.
“I feel I’m getting the ball somewhat bit more now. Within the league, you simply have to search out your roles and each situation your role is different,” he said. “Type of Latest York it was [different]. My usage went up more at the tip, but I used to be just attempting to work out a task and that was playing defense, rebounding, getting Jalen [Brunson] open, getting other guys open looks.
“And so I feel you simply must adjust to the role. Here, the role is getting the ball somewhat bit more.”
Hartenstein finished the win with two points, two assists and 6 rebounds because the Thunder tied up the series at two games apiece.
Toppin dropped in 17 points with seven assists within the Indiana loss.
Game 5 might be held in Oklahoma City on Monday night.
Emotions got high between two former Knicks on Friday night.
Obi Toppin and Isaiah Hartenstein got into it throughout the Thunder’s 111-104 Game 4 win within the NBA Finals after Toppin committed a tough foul on Oklahoma City guard Alex Caruso.
Toppin, 27, received a flagrant 1 after stiff-arming Caruso to the bottom while the 31-year-old was driving in for a layup midway through the second quarter.
Hartenstein, 27, rushed over to confront Toppin shortly after the play, with the pair having to be held back by referees after the Brooklyn native shoved the Thunder center.
After the officials eventually broke up the altercation, each Toppin and Hartenstein were issued technicals following a review.
Toppin, who was drafted by the Knicks with the No. 8 pick within the 2020 NBA Draft, was dealt to Indiana for 2 future second-round picks ahead of the 2023-24 season.
Each were teammates on the Knicks throughout the 2022-23 season during Hartenstein’s first of two seasons with the team.
The Knicks ultimately let Hartenstein walk during last 12 months’s free agency, when he signed a three-year deal value $87 million with the Thunder, a contract that he believed ended up figuring out for each side.
“It was smart,” Hartenstein said before a game between the Knicks and Thunder in January. “I feel it was for each parties, it was perfect. I’m in a situation here where it’s going really good. They got an important center, among the finest centers within the league.
“So I feel for each parties it was perfect. Knowing Leon Rose, he’ll at all times find something. He’s been doing an important job, so he made the fitting adjustment.”
Despite the Knicks only offering Hartenstein a four-year contract value $72 million, the large man insisted that he didn’t leave solely for the cash.
“I feel I’m getting the ball somewhat bit more now. Within the league, you simply have to search out your roles and each situation your role is different,” he said. “Type of Latest York it was [different]. My usage went up more at the tip, but I used to be just attempting to work out a task and that was playing defense, rebounding, getting Jalen [Brunson] open, getting other guys open looks.
“And so I feel you simply must adjust to the role. Here, the role is getting the ball somewhat bit more.”
Hartenstein finished the win with two points, two assists and 6 rebounds because the Thunder tied up the series at two games apiece.
Toppin dropped in 17 points with seven assists within the Indiana loss.
Game 5 might be held in Oklahoma City on Monday night.
