Isaiah Joe Recognized as One of the NBA’s Most Feared Shooters
Despite the Oklahoma City Thunder’s struggles with 3-point shooting in the postseason, they boasted a few impressive shooters during the regular season, including Isaiah Joe, who is now being recognized as one of the NBA’s top perimeter scorers based on advanced data.
In his third season with the Thunder, Joe had a career year, averaging 10.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, while shooting an impressive 41.2% from beyond the arc on 6.3 attempts per game. But it’s not just his raw stats that highlight his shooting prowess. A recent advanced statistic revealed that Joe is highly respected by defenders for his shooting ability.
According to a graphic shared by Todd Whitehead from Sportradar, Joe ranked 8th in the NBA for drawing the fastest closeout speeds from defenders last season. He drew defenders to his shot at a speed of 1.8 feet per second, trailing behind names like Steph Curry, Buddy Hield, and Malik Beasley.
Joe, alongside Lu Dort (who also shot 41.2% from 3-point range and earned First-Team All-Defense honors), was one of the Thunder’s most reliable shooters in the regular season. Playing 74 games and making 16 starts, Joe averaged 21.7 minutes per game as a key contributor to the Thunder’s success. The team finished with 68 wins and set several NBA records.
However, during the postseason, Joe’s role diminished as Mark Daigneault shifted to Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso, and Aaron Wiggins off the bench more frequently. Despite playing just 10 minutes per game in the playoffs, Joe still managed to shoot 41.1% from three, but his defensive limitations kept him from staying on the floor for extended periods.
While Joe’s postseason impact was limited, he remains a valuable player for the Thunder in the regular season. With Caruso likely being rested at times during the 2024-25 campaign, Joe’s contributions will be crucial. The 26-year-old signed an extension with Oklahoma City after the 2023-24 season, and he’s under contract for one more year, with the team holding a team option for the 2025-26 season.
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