The Oklahoma City Thunder have unveiled a formidable double-big lineup featuring Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren as they approach playoff season with just seven games left. Their partnership, though still in its infancy with only 269 minutes played together, shows promise with a remarkable plus-15.0 net rating. This hybrid style is not a nostalgic nod to the past; rather, it’s a glimpse into the future of basketball, blending size with versatility.

Coach Mark Daigneault is leveraging this uncommon pairing to enhance both rebounding and defensive schemes effectively. The duo’s presence has led to an impressive offensive rebounding percentage of 32.4%, second only to the Houston Rockets, while their defensive capabilities limit opponents' shots at the rim significantly. However, experimenting with this configuration has also unveiled growing pains, such as increased turnovers and a decline in transition scoring.