Knicks’ Isaiah Hartenstein baffled why players still try to dunk on him after highlight blocks

Isaiah Hartenstein doesn’t get it.

He blocked Rudy Gobert three times on New Year’s Day.

He blocked Devin Booker’s jam attempt.

He blocked Kelly Oubre at the rim in Philly.

He stopped Haywood Highsmith’s breakaway during the In-Season Tournament.

Yet the opposition still doesn’t seem very deterred.

“I don’t know why people keep trying to dunk on me,” Hartenstein said after recording four rejections in Saturday’s victory over the Grizzlies, including the highlight swat on David Roddy’s unsuccessful jam try.

As Hartenstein noted after the game, the blocks aren’t new.

In his four seasons before arriving in New York, Hartenstein averaged well over two rejections per 36 minutes.

He emerged as one of the league’s best rim protectors with the Clippers.

But Hartenstein wasn’t playing much as a backup.

Now he’s starting and the highlights are stacking up.

The latest was Saturday’s four-block, 20-rebound, 42-minute, 12-point gem.

The German-American’s rim protection has uncovered two enjoyable nicknames: Blockenstein and The Berlin Wall.

The Knicks, per a source, “will be active until the trade deadline.”

Their desire to upgrade, even if it will only be on the margins before February, was the reason they cut Taj Gibson a week ago.

The extra roster spot provides flexibility with how many players they can take back in a deal.

Opposing teams are keeping an eye on Quentin Grimes, who still hasn’t recovered his minutes or production from last season.

Grimes was frustrated with his role while with the starting unit and was replaced by DiVincenzo, who, at least offensively, has thrived in that spot.

A source said Grimes preferred to stay with the reserves, rather than go back with the starters, even after the Knicks traded RJ Barrett.

Grimes, 23, is averaging just 6.9 points and shooting under 40 percent this season