Sport

Thunder’s Midrange Meltdown: A Critical Turn in the NBA Finals

2025-06-13

Author: Ling

Oklahoma City Thunder Face Unexpected Midrange Struggles

The Oklahoma City Thunder find themselves in a surprising 2-1 deficit against the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals. How did this happen? There are two stories, both undeniably true.

Indiana Outlasts Thunder with Relentless Energy

First, let's acknowledge how the Pacers simply outplayed the Thunder in Game 3. They showcased incredible energy, hustling, scrapping, and running circles around Oklahoma City. Watching the game, it felt like the Thunder were fatigued, as if they were in the final stretch of a grueling schedule. Their pace was lackluster, they struggled to react quickly to loose balls, and by the end, it was evident they had run out of steam.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Off Night

Even Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder's star, appeared overwhelmed. After clocking 42 minutes, he was heavily targeted on defense and worn down by the Pacers' full-court press. Starting off with a frustration foul just eight seconds into the game was an indicator of his off night. Instead of finding ways to create space, he seemed to conserve energy — hardly a tactic you’d expect from an MVP candidate.

The Midrange Mystery: Why Can’t the Thunder Score?

But beyond fatigue lies a deeper question: why is Oklahoma City struggling so significantly with their 2-point shooting? They have shot a dismal 47.4 percent inside the arc during this series, a stark contrast to their regular season average of 55.9 percent.

Statistical Breakdown: Defensive Pressure and Shooting Woes

While the Thunder excelled from beyond the arc, connecting on nearly 40 percent of their three-point attempts, their inability to convert 2-pointers has stunted their offensive flow. This inconsistent shooting has resulted in a paltry offensive rating of 113.6, a drastic drop from their 119.2 average during the regular season.

Missing Key Shots: The Role of Top Players

A closer look at the statistics reveals that Oklahoma City's best players have struggled to make crucial shots. Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammate Jalen Williams are both underperforming, shooting just 50 percent and 42.5 percent on 2-point attempts, respectively. Their issues have been compounded by a lack of contributions from reliable shooters like Isaiah Hartenstein and Aaron Wiggins, who have been sidelined in terms of shot attempts.

Fast Break Points Dwindle, Affecting Efficiency

The Thunder also used to score heavily on fast breaks, averaging 17.2 points per game in previous rounds, but have fallen to just 8.4 in the Finals. This dramatic decrease has undoubtedly impacted their scoring efficiency and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Looking Ahead: Time for a Thunder Revival

Moving forward, the Thunder not only need to address their energy levels but also fix their midrange shooting woes to have any hope of reclaiming the series. As they gear up for Game 4, fans are left pondering whether they can shake off this slump and deliver the performance needed to claim their first championship in Oklahoma City. It’s a tall order, but with adjustments and renewed effort, the Thunder could still rise to the occasion!