Latest NBA injury update could have big implications for Clippers

The Western Conference is as stacked as it has ever been in the NBA. Last season, the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves were all vying for the top overall seed leading up to the final week of the regular season, until OKC edged out their competitors at the last minute. That leaves the LA Clippers in an increasingly difficult spot as they try to return to contending status themselves.

The Clippers already have what is basically an entirely new roster to try to figure out this season. To add on to that, their future is constantly in flux due to their stark lack of draft capital. That makes the Oklahoma City Thunder one of their main adversaries, due to all the picks OKC has acquired from the Clippers.

Over the summer, the Thunder took their top-seed-earning roster and upgraded it in a major way. Acquiring Alex Caruso from the Chicago Bulls and nabbing Isaiah Hartenstein from New York, the team that won 57 games in the deep Western Conference somehow took an even bigger step up. However, an injury update from Thursday morning serves to put a damper on the Thunder's party.

According to reports, Isaiah Hartenstein will miss between five and six weeks due to a fracture in his left hand. Sustained during the Thunder's preseason game against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, the fracture is described as "small" and "non-displaced" so it is likely that the ailment is not too serious. We obviously wish for a quick recovery for Hartenstein, and at the same time we can recognize that this injury will have a major effect on the Clippers and their season.

Isaiah Hartenstein to miss 5-6 weeks with hand injury

In the grand scheme of things, five to six weeks is not a lot of time. However, it is the timing of the injury that is key here. The Thunder are currently in the process of trying to get acclimated to their new team, and not having everyone present for the remainder of preseason and the start of the regular season will make things slightly more difficult for them.

Looking at the calendar, five to six weeks from the day the injury was announced on Thursday, October 17, would be either November 21 or November 28. Assuming he sticks to this timeline, that would mean that Hartenstein would miss two games against the Clippers this season. One in Los Angeles on November 2, and one in Oklahoma City on November 11.

The general consensus is that the Thunder will be finishing far above the Clippers in the standings. But when injuries and other factors come into play, anything is possible. Hartenstein being out will give LA a much better chance at winning those two contests against OKC, and those wins could end up mattering when the standings come down to the final days and weeks of the season in April.

Isaiah being sidelined will also, in theory at least, make the race in the Western Conference that much closer as a whole. In any event, the Clippers must use this circumstance to their advantage and keep pace with the team many are picking to go to the NBA Finals this season.