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.

After a week of tongue-in-cheek verbal jousting, Josh Hart was finally willing to show a little love to a former New York Knicks teammate. One of the primary he

Towns earned 1.1 million votes, the third-highest amount in the Eastern Conference behind Boston Celtics champion Jayson Tatum and Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. His teammate, who plays in a big market like New York, noticed the difference.

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.

Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein will be re-evaluated in approximately one week after he suffered a left soleus strain against the Philadelphia 76ers Tuesday night,

If the Knicks’ first Thunder test spiraled into a collapse, then this was a flop. A shellacking. And a drastic one, too.

Jalen Brunson had 27 points and five assists. He shot 12-of-12 from the free-throw line. Karl-Anthony Towns turned in a 23-point and 10-rebound double-double. Josh Hart had a 16-point and 10-rebound double-double. Bridges and OG Anunoby combined for four points.