Last year, the Thunder were the best three-point shooting team by percentages. The Thunder were hot from three all year under limited attempts per game. However, they struggled to shoot the ball in the playoffs, especially in the Maverick series. The Thunder were the worst three-point shooting team out of the eight teams left in the playoffs. They shot an abysmal 33.5% from three against the Mavericks, which was one of the big reasons they lost to them. When the Thunder traded Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso, their three-point shooting was expected to improve.
However, with them shooting more threes this year, their percentage went down drastically at the beginning of the year. In November, the Thunder shot 35.4% from three, which ranked 19th in the league. In December, the Thunder shot worst at 34.4%, which ranked 19th in the league. People around the league were questioning if the Thunder had enough shooting to win a championship. This is why they were rumored to be in the running for a player like Cameron Johnson at the trade deadline. However, since the calendar turned to 2025, the Thunder have been completely red hot from three. In the last 15 games, the Thunder are shooting 39.7% from three, which ranks number one in the NBA. In addition, they rank 9th in three-pointers attempted in that span. Let’s dive into the Thunder’s hot shooting stretch.
Thunder Getting Hot From Three at The Right Time
Their Shooters are Starting to Shoot Better
At the beginning of the year, guys like Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace, some of their best three-point shooters, were struggling. However, recently, they have picked up the pace. Caruso, in the last 15 games, is up to 47.5% from three, Wiggins is shooting 46.1% and Joe is shooting 39.1% from three. Their best shooters have been shooting better from three as well as their star players too.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has never been a great three-point shooter in his career. However, he has drastically improved this year. In the last 15 games, he is shooting 46.5% from three, and he is now flirting with being in the 50/40/90 club. Jalen Williams is shooting 40.0% from three in the last 15 games. With the Thunder getting hot from three with only 19 games left, it is only building confidence for when the playoffs start. They are starting to play their best exactly when they want to.
The Thunder are Running More Actions For Shooters
Last year, the Thunder were running a lot of stationary catch-and-shoot threes. There was little to no movement to try and get shooters open for three. This formula can work in the regular season but not in the playoffs. In the playoffs, defenses become tighter, and shooting a lot of stationary threes is a lot harder. Instead of having five feet from the closest defender, that space decreases to probably two feet in the playoffs.
This year, the Thunder have tried to have more actions to get shooters open. The way they are moving Joe and Wiggins around more to make it easier for them to get open looks that will translate to the postseason. They are doing a lot of downscreens for them to get open. However, one that is especially important is they are putting them in spots that make them open anytime a team sends two or double teams Gilgeous-Alexander.
Why This Year Will Be Different Than Last Year
This year’s team feels different than last year’s team, and why the results in the playoffs will be different. Last year, in the playoffs, some players looked timid, and the lights might have just been a little too bright for them. However, this year, that doesn’t seem like it will be the case, and they also know going in what the playoff atmosphere is like. Then, you add that to Wiggins’ growth as a scorer on the ball and the confidence he is playing with right now. Since February, there has only been one game where Wiggins hasn’t scored in double figures.
The Thunder’s emphasis on moving shooters around like Joe will translate to getting more open looks in the playoffs. Gilgeous-Alexander is making it more of a priority to make sure his team is more prepared for the playoffs and giving them that confidence they need. Caruso’s experience and knowing what it takes to win the finals. Finally, Isaiah Hartenstein’s presence with his screening to free up scorers and shooters, as well as his playmaking ability. If you look at all of these reasons and the product that has been on the floor, there is more confidence about this team going into the playoffs than last year’s team.
The Last Word
The Thunder are playing offense with extreme confidence, that is a big reason why they have turned the corner on their shooting struggles. They are going to need this same type of confidence when the playoffs come in a little over a month. If they struggle from three like they did last year in the playoffs, they could be in for another early exit. However, if they keep shooting the ball like they have been in the last 15 games, then this team can reach the goals that they want to this year. Only time will tell if these young guys are ready for the playoffs this time around. However, Thunder fans should feel more confident about this team than last year’s team.
Photo credit: © Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
