Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe has become a vital offensive force off the bench during Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s absence, delivering consistent scoring that head coach Mark Daigneault values highly. With Gilgeous-Alexander sidelined through the All-Star break, Joe’s standout dunk over LeBron James helped the Thunder secure a memorable victory against the Los Angeles Lakers, but his impact reaches far beyond that singular highlight.
Fans argue that Joe’s performance this season merits him a spot in the dunk and 3-point contests on All-Star Saturday Night, having already impressed by dunking over Orlando Magic’s Paolo Banchero earlier this season. However, his biggest strength remains his sharpshooting, which has been crucial for the Thunder, especially given Gilgeous-Alexander’s abdominal injury.
Consistent Shooting Power Fuels Thunder’s Offense
Joe is averaging 14.6 points per game in February, shooting an efficient 44.2% overall and an impressive 44.1% from beyond the arc. He is contributing 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game, further proving his all-around value. Over his last seven games, Joe has drained 22 three-pointers while maintaining a 44% shooting rate, averaging at least three triples per contest during this stretch.
In the 119-110 victory against the Lakers, Joe led the Thunder’s bench in scoring with 19 points, solidifying his role as one of Mark Daigneault’s most dependable scorers as the team awaits the return of Jalen Williams.
Jalen Williams Adds Optimism with Return from Injury
Forward Jalen Williams rejoined the Thunder lineup after missing ten games due to a hamstring injury, contributing 23 points, including 10 critical points during the win over the Lakers. His return marks another positive development for a Thunder squad adapting to key absences.
Williams reflected on the forced rest and its unexpected benefits, indicating it helped him regain confidence and form.
“It feels great. The three weeks [were] actually great for me. That was the first time that I shot like that since April 8th of last year,”
Williams said.
“So, that was really dope. My hand feels good. I just got jammed up with Ayton, and that was pretty much it. It’s honestly the best it’s been since then. A lot of the reps I was able to do while I was out. That really helped out a lot.”
— Jalen Williams, Thunder forward
Thunder Focused on Finishing Road Trip Strong
As the Thunder prepare for their upcoming matchup against the Phoenix Suns, they aim to build on their momentum despite continuing without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The team remains hopeful that sustained contributions from players like Isaiah Joe and the rejuvenated Jalen Williams will help maintain competitive performance during this stretch of the season.
