The OKC Thunder have been firing on all cylinders in virtually every area of play -- except when it comes to their long-range shooting.
Despite their best efforts, the reigning champions have been truly underwhelming when it comes to their perimeter game in 2025-26, ranking a middling 16 in three-point shooting percentage at 36.1 percent and an even worse 20 overall in catch-and-shoot three-point percentage at 35.4.
Yet, in an odd way, these hardships suggest that this top-ranked Thunder team can and likely will get even better than its already league-best level of play, which is an absolutely terrifying prospect for all other title-hopefuls in the association.
OKC Thunder can only get better amid shooting slump
As noted, Oklahoma City ranks in the bottom 10 when it comes to catch-and-shoot three-point percentage. However, this lackluster success rate hasn't deterred them from hoisting such shots.
In fact, as was the case during their title run a season ago, a large chunk of their scoring looks have come off the catch. This year, roughly 36.5 percent of the Thunder's attempts have come in such a fashion, as they rank fourth in both total three-point and overall catch-and-shoot field goal attempts.
Frankly, the problem isn't necessarily the club's inability to knock down their shots, but rather the lack of availability from those who excel in these particular areas.
Throughout this first month and change of action, the Thunder have seen players revolving in and out of their rotation, with six key rotation talents already missing five or more games. All-Star forward Jalen Williams has yet to even see a single minute logged as he continues to recover from offseason operations.
This Thunder team has proven time and time again that they can be a lights-out unit on the offensive end. Just last season, they ranked sixth in three-point percentage (37.4) and fourth in catch-and-shoot three-point percentage (39.4) while, in 2023-24, they placed first (38.9) and second (40.2), respectively.
Simply put, all they need is a bit more health and patience, and they should be able to see some positive regression for this lone weak spot in their game.
Surprisingly, even with these shooting woes, the ball club is still far and away the top team the NBA has to offer right now, as they are amid one of best starts to a season in league history at 18-1, rank number one in defensive rating (102.8), net rating (16.9), and per 100 possessions point differential (16.5), and are the clear favorites to win the 2026 NBA Finals.
Once they find a way to tap back into these aforementioned old habits on the offensive side of the ball, the league might as well just hand them this year's Larry O'Brien Trophy.