Thunder's plan to dethrone Mavericks already leaning Dallas' way after key injury

One of the NBA's newest rivalries was ignited in last year's playoffs when the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in six games in the Western Conference semifinals.

Dallas won that series largely due to the Thunder's lack of playoff experience and size at the center position. With OKC heading into an earlier offseason than expected, the Thunder knew they needed to make a big trade and get a veteran center who could hunker down alongside Chet Holmgren in the starting lineup (or off the bench) and give them much-needed size.

With this in mind, the Thunder traded away Josh Giddey and signed former New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein in a different move early in the offseason. This move not only solidified the center spot for the Thunder but it could be taken as a direct adjustment to beat the Mavericks heading into the new season.

Hartenstein injury will benefit Mavericks in the long run

Unfortunately for the Thunder, Hartentstein suffered an untimely left-hand injury in Tuesday's preseason game that will sideline him for the next five to six weeks.

This injury not only comes as a shock to Thunder fans, but it leaves one of the best teams in the Western Conference vulnerable for the first month of the NBA season.

While injuries are never a good sight to see, this does have a chance to benefit the Mavericks early in the season. This injury will not only limit the Thunder and how they can play with just Holmgren at the center position, but it will allow Dallas to play a similar brand of basketball as they did in the playoffs when these two rivals face off on November 17 as Hartenstein will likely be out.

In Dallas' series win over the Thunder during last year's playoffs, the team constantly had the upper hand in the rebounding department as Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford dominated the paint. With a great rebounder like Hartenstein likely sidelined until late November, this could give the Mavericks the advantage in this critical early-season matchup.

With Hartenstein in the Thunder's lineup, it gives them plenty of offensive flexibility when he and Holmgren share the court. Without Hartenstien, not only will Holmgren be relied upon to hunker down the center spot, but as fans watched in the playoffs, the Thunder will struggle to grab boards on both ends of the floor.

The Mavericks have one of the best center rotations in the league so it will be paramount that they take control of this early-season matchup.

Assuming Dallas gets off to a hot start this season, an early win over their Western Conference foe could pay big dividends late in the season when teams are fighting for playoff spots.