The Western Conference is as stacked as the NBA has ever been. Last season, the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves all battled for the top spot in the overall standings heading into the final week of the regular season, until OKC defeated their competitors at the last minute. That puts the LA Clippers in an increasingly difficult position as they try to return to contending status themselves.

The Clippers already have a brand new roster to try out this season. Moreover, their future is constantly in flux due to their severe lack of exchange capital. That makes the Oklahoma City Thunder one of their top opponents because of all the picks OKC got from the Clippers.

Over the summer, the Thunder took their top-performing roster and upgraded it in a major way. By acquiring Alex Caruso from the Chicago Bulls and grabbing Isaiah Hartenstein from New York, the team that won 57 games in the deep Western Conference somehow took an even bigger step forward. However, an injury update Thursday morning puts a damper on the Thunder’s celebration.

According to reports, Isaiah Hartenstein will be out between five and six weeks due to a fracture in his left hand. The fracture, which occurred during the Thunder’s game against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, is described as “minor” and “non-displaced” so it is likely the condition is not too serious. We obviously wish Hartenstein a quick recovery and at the same time we recognize that this injury will have a major impact on the Clippers and their season.

In the grand scheme of things, five to six weeks isn’t a lot of time. However, it is the timing of the injury that is critical here. The Thunder are currently trying to get acclimated to their new team, and if everyone isn’t here for the remainder of the preseason and the start of the regular season, things will be a little 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 November 21 or 28. Assuming he sticks to this timeline, that would mean 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 finish well above the Clippers in the standings. But when injuries and other factors come into play, anything is possible. Having Hartenstein out gives LA a much better chance to win those two games against OKC, and those wins could ultimately matter when the standings come down to the final days and weeks of the season in April.

Isaiah being sidelined will, at least in theory, make the race in the Western Conference as a whole much closer. Whatever the case, the Clippers should use this circumstance to their advantage and keep pace with the team many are picking to get to the NBA Finals this season.