Ebbs and Flows of the 3-Point Shot Getting the Best of the Thunder Early

The Thunder started the season on fire from long distance, but shot just 23% from beyond the arc in its loss against the Kings on Friday night.

Oklahoma City dropped its fourth game on the season against the Sacramento Kings Friday night, 105-98. 

This contest was also part of the NBA In-season Tournament, marking the Thunder's second game and second loss within the tournament.

There were a number of things to blame for the Thunder's loss on Friday night — a very slow start to the game, questionable lineup rotations, rebounding — but the Thunder struggled heavily from 3-point range, something they've been fairly efficient at thus far as a whole.

Through its first eight games, Oklahoma City had seen several players contribute from outside, and with efficiency, night in and night out. 

Lu Dort, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Joe, Cason Wallace have made the most impact, averaging just under 49% from 3-point distance as a unit, shooting efficiently and all hitting at least one three a night. 

Of course, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams have produced from three in their own rights, just at a less efficient clip, with each still averaging one three per game.

But the Thunder's shooting relied on only three players in Friday night's loss — that being Joe, Dort and Wallace yet again.

Dort and Wallace shot 4-for-8 from deep combined, as Joe added three 3-pointers on eight shots as well. 

Others could not quite find their rhythm from outside though, with Holmgren and Williams going 0-of-3 each and Gilgeous-Alexander going 0-of-2. 

Not to mention Lindy Waters III missed two 3-pointers of his own in his 19 minutes, with one bad miss coming in crunch time, and Jaylin Williams also tried two times but couldn't hit either.

It was a rough shooting night from beyond the arc for the Thunder to say the least, as the team shot just 23%, going 7-for-30. 

The Kings weren't much better, as they shot just 13-for-47, 27.7% from distance.

It's been a recurring theme — when the Thunder aren't hitting their deep shots at an at least somewhat decent clip, it's an uphill battle. 

It was exactly that against Sacramento on Friday night. 

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