Isaiah Hartenstein Jokes About Return to Knicks

Despite Isaiah Hartenstein leaving the New York Knicks for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Knicks fans still show affection for him. Comedian Chris Distefano, filling in on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", expressed regret to Hartenstein that he won his first NBA championship with the Thunder instead of the Knicks. Distefano, a Knicks fan, asked Hartenstein what it would take for him to return to New York. Hartenstein jokingly demanded permanent access to Jimmy Kimmel's sidekick, Guillermo Rodriguez.

Hartenstein played for the Knicks for two seasons before joining the Thunder, who offered him a larger contract than the Knicks could match due to financial restrictions in the collective bargaining agreement. He was a key contributor (averaging 11.2 points and 10.7 rebounds) to the Thunder's championship win, their first since moving to Oklahoma City.

Although a potential Finals matchup between the Knicks and Thunder/Hartenstein didn't materialize because the Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the semifinals, Distefano claimed he would have struggled to choose sides. Hartenstein immediately playfully called him out on this, laughing and saying Distefano would have cursed at him during the game and urging him to be honest about rooting for the Knicks.

The article notes that the Knicks managed Hartenstein's departure well, acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns and later welcoming back Mitchell Robinson. They further strengthened their frontcourt by adding Guerschon Yabusele from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2025.