Isaiah Joe’s Return Sparks Thunder Offense - and Cements His Place in Franchise History
After missing four games with a left knee contusion, Isaiah Joe returned to the floor Thursday night and immediately reminded everyone why he’s such a vital piece of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s offensive puzzle. In just 22 minutes of action against the LA Clippers, Joe looked like he hadn’t missed a step - and more importantly, OKC’s spacing looked like it hadn’t missed him for a second longer than it had to.
Joe knocked down four of his six three-point attempts, leading all players in makes from deep and giving the Thunder a much-needed perimeter boost in their 122-101 win. It wasn’t just a strong night - it was another notch in the belt of a player who’s quietly becoming one of the best shooters in Thunder history.
Earlier in the day, teammate Alex Caruso called Joe an “anomaly” when it comes to floor spacing, and that label fits. Joe doesn’t just stretch defenses - he warps them. His ability to knock down threes at volume and with efficiency has become a defining feature of this young Thunder team’s offensive identity.
And now, he’s starting to climb into some pretty elite company in the franchise record books.
With Thursday’s performance, Joe passed Russell Westbrook for fourth-most games with four or more three-pointers in Thunder history - now sitting at 48. That’s no small feat, especially when you consider he’s only in his fourth season in OKC. He’s not just a hot hand; he’s becoming a historically significant one.
A Game-Changer From Deep
Joe’s impact has been felt since the moment he stepped back on the court this season. After missing the early part of the year with a preseason knee contusion, he made his season debut on October 30 against the Wizards - and the Thunder’s shooting fortunes changed almost overnight.
Before Joe returned, OKC was struggling mightily from beyond the arc, ranking near the bottom of the league at just 28.8% from three. Since his return, the Thunder have surged to third in the NBA in three-point percentage, knocking down 39.7% of their attempts during that stretch. That’s not a coincidence - that’s a player changing the geometry of the floor.
Joe himself is hitting at a career-best clip, connecting on 43.1% of his threes while averaging 12.9 points per game. Among players with at least 15 games played, that puts him third on the team in three-point percentage. He’s not just spacing the floor - he’s capitalizing on it.
And when he’s off the court, the drop-off is noticeable. The Thunder’s three-point production dips significantly without him, underscoring just how central he is to their offensive rhythm.
Climbing the Franchise Ladder
In just 18 games this season, Joe has already passed Westbrook in one key statistical category. But that’s not all - with 555 made threes in a Thunder uniform, he’s on pace to crack the franchise’s top 10 in total three-pointers made by the end of the season.
That’s remarkable for a player who doesn’t carry the star billing of some of his teammates. Joe’s not the face of the franchise, but he’s the kind of player every winning team needs - a specialist who excels in his role and elevates everyone around him.
He’s the guy who comes in, spaces the floor, and quietly changes the way defenses have to play. And now, he’s starting to get the recognition he deserves - not just as a hot shooter, but as one of the best to ever do it in a Thunder jersey.
No Signs of Slowing Down
The best part for OKC? Joe looks healthy, confident, and fully integrated into the team’s system. His return couldn’t have come at a better time, and if this recent stretch is any indication, he’s just getting warmed up.
Isaiah Joe may not be a household name across the league, but in Oklahoma City, he’s becoming something more meaningful - a foundational piece in a team that’s building something special. And with the numbers he’s putting up, both nightly and historically, he’s earning his place in Thunder lore one deep ball at a time.