Title: OKC Thunder's Long-Range Shooting Potential Shaping Season's Destiny
In the current NBA landscape, hitting from the perimeter is as crucial as it gets. This was a major strength of the Oklahoma City Thunder last season, finishing first in the league with a 3-point accuracy of 38.9%, despite placing 16th in attempted 3-pointers.
However, despite a brilliant 35-7 start to this 2024-25 campaign, the Thunder's 3-point shooting efficiency has dipped. They're now shooting 35.8%, ranking 17th, despite attempting more 3-pointers (38.6 per game, 10th in the league).
This drop in efficiency has often left the Thunder grappling on the offensive end. Fortunately, stellar performances from MVP-caliber player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and their top-notch defense have helped them win several games where the 3-point shot isn't falling.
Nevertheless, bridging the gap in 3-point efficiency between the two seasons should be a top priority for OKC. One key issue this season has been the struggle to convert triples above the break.
In the 2024-25 campaign, Oklahoma City is converting just 34.4% (17th in the NBA) of its 29.9 above-the-break threes attempted per game. In contrast, the team was exceptionally efficient in the 2023-24 season, hitting 38.0% of its above-the-break triples despite attempting fewer such shots.
To better understand this, consider that above-the-break threes make up a significant portion of the Thunder’s 3-point volume increase this season. This drop in efficiency from these shots primarily contributes to the overall decline in accuracy.
Though shooting location is just one piece of the puzzle, it's clear this is an area the team is looking to improve. Factors such as shot quality, distance, distribution, variety, and frequency should also be taken into account for a well-rounded analysis.
Looking at the season-to-season performance of the Thunder's core players, such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, reaffirms why the overall 3-point efficiency has declined. Even before accounting for Alex Caruso's addition and impactful shooting from deep, the drop in accuracy is noticeable.
Though 3-point shooting is critical, it's not the only factor determining game victories. In the regular season, the Thunder have fared well, winning when making 17+ attempts and maintaining win rates when making fewer than 10. The team's talent often helps overcome poor shooting nights.
However, in the playoffs, consistent 3-point shooting is crucial. Last season, the Thunder's 3-point percentage dropped to 35.6% in the postseason, well below what's needed to beat the NBA's top teams. Bridging this gap in the 2024-25 playoffs should be a primary focus.
In conclusion, 3-point shooting could be the deciding factor in the Thunder's season. They’re already good but have clear areas of improvement. With a potential increase in 3-point efficiency, the generational Thunder defense, and a team as talented as this, the Thunder have a real shot at going the distance in this season's finals.
The Thunder's struggle with above-the-break 3-point shooting this season is evident, as they convert only 34.4% of their attempts, ranking them 17th in the NBA. This is a significant drop from their 38.0% efficiency in the 2023-24 season, despite attempting more such shots (29.9 per game compared to the previous season's fewer attempts).
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a key player for the Oklahoma City Thunder, has seen his 3-point shooting performance dip in the 2024-25 campaign. His efficiency from beyond the arc this season is lower than in the previous year, which contributes to the overall drop in the team's 3-point shooting accuracy.
The Thunder's standings have been impacted by their decreased 3-point shooting efficiency. Despite a strong start to the 2024-25 season, their current ranking of 17th in 3-point shooting efficiency has put them slightly behind their 2023-24 season performance, where they finished first in the league.
The decline in Oklahoma City Thunder's 3-point shooting efficiency has also affected Jalen Williams' statistics. As a young player in his second NBA season, Williams has seen a dip in his 3-point shooting accuracy from the previous campaign, which coincides with the team-wide decline.
To improve their 3-point shooting, the Oklahoma City Thunder needs to focus on various aspects like shot quality, distance, distribution, variety, and frequency. Analyzing these factors can help the team identify areas for improvement and develop strategies to boost their 3-point shooting efficiency, both in the regular season and the playoffs.
