Thunder guard Isaiah Joe is lighting up the NBA with his three-point shooting prowess, but his contributions go far beyond the arc. At just 26, Joe is proving to be a multifaceted player, as highlighted by a standout performance against the Cavaliers.
He matched his season high with 22 points, sinking six of his 11 three-point attempts. But it wasn't just his shooting that caught attention; Joe also snagged a career-high five steals, along with three assists and two rebounds in 30 minutes of play.
Joe's defensive tenacity is something he's nurtured from a young age. "Being undersized, you don’t want to be the weak link," Joe explained.
"We have tremendous defenders on this team. We can almost live and die on our defense every game.
I just try to stay physical, make the right rotations, take charges, and win on the defensive end."
Joe's off-ball movement and unselfish passing make him a dynamic presence on the court. Fellow guard Cason Wallace, who recorded his first career double-double with 20 points and 10 assists, praised Joe’s versatility.
"He’s a great cutter," Wallace noted. "If you overplay him, he’s smart enough to back-cut and finish at the rim.
He’s a high-level rebounder with a full game."
Head coach Mark Daigneault also lauded Joe's performance, emphasizing his role as a stabilizing force during a turbulent period marked by injuries to key players. Joe is averaging 16.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.6 steals while shooting an impressive 50.8% from three-point range in February. "He’s been unbelievable," Daigneault said, highlighting Joe's consistency despite the team's injury challenges.
The Thunder managed to outplay the Cavaliers, who came into the game on a hot streak, despite missing several key players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. This victory underscores the depth of talent in the NBA, prompting discussions about the league's focus on star players versus team depth. "This league is very talented," said Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell, acknowledging the Thunder's capability even without their stars.
Looking ahead, All-Star big man Chet Holmgren is questionable for the upcoming game against Toronto due to lower back spasms, and Alex Caruso is also questionable with a left ankle sprain.
In another inspiring story, Nikola Topic, a 20-year-old Serbian guard, made a triumphant return to the court after overcoming a torn ACL and a cancer diagnosis. Topic expressed gratitude for the support from his team and fans, who gave him a standing ovation during his first home game back. "I’ll remember that for the rest of my life," Topic said, vowing to show his appreciation through his play on the court.