As the Oklahoma City Thunder looks forward to its first NBA Finals run since 2012, there is pressure rising on the Thunder bench. OKC is gunning for its first title since moving to Oklahoma City, but will one of the Thunder sharpshooters step up to help them win big?

After all, this is the biggest stage of the NBA, and it is all hands on deck. Oklahoma City has been grinding and winning this postseason. But they will need everyone to contribute if they want to win it all. One of the concerning issues en route to the Finals is how Isaiah Joe is working to overcome his woes.

Thunder Sharpshooter Needs to Come Alive for OKC in the Finals

Joe is no stranger to adversity. Doubts were coming his way early in his career before he came swinging in his redemption arc with OKC. However, it seems that his struggles are not helping his case to crack the rotation with the Thunder.

May 24, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) dribbles the ball past Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) during the first half in game three of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Joe Struggling in the Postseason

Joe was a promising sharpshooter for Oklahoma City in the regular season. He was one of the fan favorites whose threes roared along with the Thunder crowd whenever he sank one. In fact, Joe averaged 10.2 points on 41.2% shooting from three in the 2024-25 regular season. Much was expected from him heading into the playoffs, but expectations aren’t being met so far.

PUT.

ISAIAH JOE.

IN.

THE.

THREE POINT CONTEST.pic.twitter.com/ZAFjQaHZsa

— 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) February 6, 2025

The Thunder bench runs deep, and everyone knows that by now. Alex Caruso has been a menace in the playoffs and has contributed well. Cason Wallace has been moving up in the rotation, to the point that he’s cracking more than 25 minutes in the past few games.

Joe, on the other hand, has not seen an impressive game – save for blowouts where Oklahoma City has allowed him to play loose. But this is the NBA Finals, and it cannot be denied that there is a lot of expectations from everyone on the team. Isaiah Joe is no exception to that as well.

Every playoffs, OKC forgets how to shoot. Like how is Isaiah Joe lights out every regular season, but then struggles to hit one 3 every night

— . (@grandkapalot) May 16, 2025

This postseason, the Thunder sharpshooter isn’t meeting his season averages well. In fact, he’s averaging a meager 5.2 points on 38.3% shooting from three. That’s nearly half his points average shaved these playoffs, and his outside shooting has dipped by 2.9%. It is a small number, but we are seeing Joe struggle to hit the shots that he usually makes.

Can the Thunder Guard Come Alive in the Finals?

OKC is bringing a high energy in its first NBA Finals run in 13 years. While Joe has played fewer minutes than he usually is, the recent Western Conference Finals has been a good note for him.

In fact, the Thunder sharpshooter only had one bad game in the series – as the whole team did in Game 3. Joe averaged only five points, but if you are not impressed, the final minutes of Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves was him heating up.

Joe finished that game with 11 points while going 3-for- from deep and a perfect 4-4 overall. Sure, it’s garbage time, but a good shooting stretch is all a Thunder sharpshooter like Joe needs to overcome his struggles.

Isaiah Joe on NBA Finals vibes: “The energy around the game, fan interaction and days in between the games we know are going to be a lot different. There’s gonna be a lot more media, a lot more eyes on us. We’re the only 2 teams playing so we know that comes with it.”

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) June 2, 2025

Maybe Joe is bringing a high-level game for the Thunder heading into the NBA Finals. Three-point shooters such as Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, Stephen Curry, and even Danny Green had their moments in the finals. These players have had their fair share of struggles too, and Joe just needs to shake it off. Expect a big shooting game from Joe. He’s been cold for so long that it’s time for him to heat up.

Photo credit: © Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images