Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a remarkable game, scoring 52 points, but the Oklahoma City Thunder fell to the Golden State Warriors 116-109. Let’s break down his impact on the game.
- He made 22.2% of the team’s 3-pointers (2 of 9).
- He scored 45.2% of their 2-pointers (14 of 31).
- He contributed 47.7% of the Thunder’s total points (52 of 109).
- He hit 90% of their free throws (18 of 20).
Jalen Williams also stepped up, adding 26 points. However, the other starters struggled, combining for just 10 points on 5-for-23 shooting. Isaiah Joe provided 17 points off the bench, mostly from the 3-pointers set up by Gilgeous-Alexander. The rest of the bench had difficulty, managing only two shots inside the arc. Only Joe, Williams, and Gilgeous-Alexander made three-pointers, while the rest of the team went 0-for-17.
Such a shooting night is unusual. The Thunder rely on Gilgeous-Alexander’s ability to pressure defenses. Last year, they ranked top in the NBA for 3-point shooting, but this season, they’ve dropped to average. This shift highlights the unpredictable nature of shooting percentages. Some nights the shots fall; other nights, they don’t.
What’s crucial for the Thunder is how they respond when shots aren’t dropping. In last year’s playoffs, they struggled, shooting just 33.5% from deep against the Dallas Mavericks. The same pattern occurred against the Warriors. For the Thunder to succeed this season and beyond, they need to develop consistent scoring options beyond their top players.
Returning Chet Holmgren could improve their scoring balance. Despite the strong performances from Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams, the Thunder could not create offense when they missed their 3s. They need more players who can drive and create open shots.
This is a fixable issue. With a treasure trove of future draft picks and a young roster, Oklahoma City is in a strong position to trade for a shot creator. However, the market for these players is tight as the trade deadline approaches. Star players like Zach LaVine and Jimmy Butler come at a high cost and would require major changes to the current lineup. More affordable options like Collin Sexton and Coby White could be available, but they might not fit well with the Thunder’s strong defensive scheme.
An intriguing possibility is Chris Paul. If he becomes part of a trade and is bought out, a reunion could be on the table, given his history with the team.
Oklahoma City has a week to explore these options or use their draft picks strategically to trade for new talent. Off nights like the one against the Warriors might be rare during the season, but they can become a pattern in the playoffs. If the Thunder want to move towards a championship, they need more consistent scoring from other players on the team.
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