2. Isaiah Joe
The last few games heading into the All-Star break were a revelation for Isaiah Joe. As one of only three players to shoot above 40% from three for OKC, Joe is definitely getting more minutes to provide the hot shooting they need. It cannot be denied that three-point shooting is a big weakness for the Thunder. With Joe shooting the lights out, he will play a vital role in helping them thrive in games. As a threat from deep, Joe can space the floor and keep defenders close to him on the wing, drawing them away from cutting teammates.
Isaiah Joe 20 PTS, 1 STL, 6/8 3PT, 0 TOVs, 111% TS on 7/9 FG vs Lakers
Only 13 minutes played 😳 pic.twitter.com/xFClaH60Df https://t.co/RmRr3wYa1C
— NBA Performances (@NBARewinds) April 3, 2026
Oklahoma City is not a great three-point shooting team, sure. But when you combine the Thunder’s defense with excellent shooting, now that’s a recipe for success. After all, Joe has been at his best in the second half of the season. Whether he brings it into the playoff stage is a big question, but Joe will play a huge role in OKC’s success.
3. Alex Caruso
Speaking of the OKC bench’s defense, Alex Caruso is the first who will come to mind for fans and critics. Caruso shut down Nikola Jokic in a crucial Game 7 of the West Semis last year. While he may not be the most explosive scorer among the players on this list, defense is his main contribution. You can expect him to come up in the closing possessions of a tight game. We have seen SGA trust Caruso in crucial moments, often taking a corner three.
Alex Caruso can lock up both Jokic and Wemby as a 6’5” guard LMFAO
— 🌩️ (@twowayshai) December 14, 2025
Caruso has missed a huge chunk of the season as well. However, it seems that Daigneault will be using him for two-way purposes and to guard tougher scorers of opposing teams. In fact, Caruso can defend anyone, even those who are bigger than him. The fact that he was a secret weapon against Jokic is still stunning. We may even see him grind in big moments, as the Thunder continually trust him to step up.
