Isaiah Joe shines in Thunder’s title defense against Trail Blazers
Isaiah Joe put on a dazzling display against the Portland Trail Blazers, showcasing his shooting prowess on New Year’s Eve. The sharpshooter launched ten three-pointers, successfully hitting five of them, further solidifying his role in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s quest for another championship.
Impressive Season Statistics
This season, Joe has emerged as a vital contributor for the Thunder, appearing in 25 games and averaging 10.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 0.8 stocks per game. His efficiency is notable, with a shooting percentage of 45% from the field, 42% from beyond the arc, and a remarkable 93% from the free-throw line, all in just 20.7 minutes per game. These numbers reflect not only his scoring ability but also his growth as a player, particularly in his perimeter shooting.
Enhanced Role in Thunder’s Offense
Joe’s increased shooting volume is a testament to his development as a shooter. He has adapted his game to better serve the Thunder’s needs, relocating around the perimeter to find open looks and providing a reliable outlet for teammates. This season, he has been utilized more effectively in pick-and-pop scenarios, dribble handoffs, and benefiting from off-ball screens.
In pick-and-pop situations, Joe boasts an impressive 71% shooting percentage.
His percentage in dribble handoffs stands at 35%, placing him in the 66th percentile across the NBA.
Coming off screens, he has been lethal, converting at a 43% rate.
When given catch-and-shoot opportunities, Joe is converting at a 43% rate, which jumps to an astonishing 57% when he is unguarded. This makes him a constant threat on the floor, especially when paired with the Thunder’s core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren.
Innovative Out of Bounds Plays
The Thunder’s coaching staff, led by head coach Mark Daigneault, has begun to feature Joe prominently in out-of-bounds plays, running the same play for him from the baseline multiple times this season. This strategy involves Joe sprinting from the opposite slot to the short corner, utilizing a pair of drag screens while a teammate, either Williams or Gilgeous-Alexander, draws defenders away. So far, Joe has capitalized on this play, hitting 4 out of 5 attempts from this setup.
The effectiveness of these plays marks a significant improvement from last season. Joe had attempted 19 out-of-bounds looks last year, converting only four of them, and none were as clean or effective as those executed this season.
A Crucial Component for Playoff Success
If Isaiah Joe continues his career year in both volume and efficiency, he could become a pivotal figure for the Thunder as they aim to defend their title in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. The team will need to improve their half-court offense and three-point shooting, areas that hampered their postseason success in previous runs, where they ranked 13th out of 16 teams in three-point shooting percentage.
Joe’s ability to create shots through various methods enhances his viability and value as the playoffs approach. As the competition intensifies, his diverse scoring arsenal will be essential for the Thunder to succeed against more cohesive defensive units.
