"I swear this said Angel Reese for a sec" - NBA fans hilariously confuse WNBA star's name with Isaiah Hartenstein's replacement

This summer, the OKC Thunder made two key moves, acquiring former Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein via free agency and defensive leader Alex Caruso via trade with the Chicago Bulls. While the two moves bolstered the Thunder's roster by adding some firepower in two key areas, Hartenstein is now dealing with a hand injury.

In the Thunder's preseason clash with the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, Hartenstein suffered a left-hand fracture that will sideline him for five to six weeks. Given that, and the injuries Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams are dealing with, the team signed Alabama alum Alex Reese.

ESPN insider Shams Charania broke the news on Saturday morning, announcing that Reese, who went undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, has now joined the team on a non-guaranteed deal to start the season.

Once Hartenstein returns, Reese will likely either wind up getting waived, or join the Thunder's G League affiliate. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Charania wrote:

"In wake of Isaiah Hartenstein injury, the Oklahoma City Thunder are signing C/F Alex Reese to a non-guaranteed standard deal, agent Billy Davis told ESPN. Reese quit basketball in 2021 after 4 years at Alabama, was a bartender for a year, then played abroad and now has NBA deal."

Immediately, NBA fans were quick to weigh in, as some did a double-take:

"I swear this said Angel Reese for a sec," one fan joked.

"Angel reese brother in the nba?" another added.

"Best A. Reese to ever touch a basketball," another fan added.

Others joked about Alex Reese giving up basketball to bartend at one point:

"Went from slinging shots to slinging shots," a fan wrote.

"MyCareer ass storyline," another added.

"getting the #1 seed with a bartender on our roster," a fan added.

Isaiah Hartenstein's injury just one of several OKC Thunder are dealing with ahead of 2024-25 season

While the acquisition of Isaiah Hartenstein this summer was a massive frontcourt addition for the OKC Thunder, his absence over the next five to six weeks could be problematic.

Of course, Hartenstein's injury isn't the only one that the Thunder are dealing with. In addition to the big man, Jaylin Williams is also dealing with a hamstring sprain sustained in training camp.

According to coach Mike Daigneault, who spoke with members of the press on media day earlier this month, Williams suffered a hamstring strain and will be re-evaluated at the end of the team's preseason schedule.

So far, with the start of the 2024-25 season right around the corner, there has been no further update on whether or not Williams will be ready for the Thursday contest.

In addition, starting forward Jalen Williams, who exited the team's preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday, is believed to be day-to-day with an ankle sprain. At the same time, Kenrich Williams is fresh off arthroscopic knee surgery last month.

Given the combination of injuries to Isaiah Hartenstein and key members of the team's rotations, only time will tell how the start of the 2024-25 season plays out for the Thunder.