Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren Among League’s Most Efficient Shooters

The Thunder’s young duo has been unbelievable all season long.

Oklahoma City has exceeded expectations to the max this season. The team is 46-20 and in legitimate contention for the No. 1 seed. The Thunder has been a force on both ends of the floor, but the team’s offense has improved in a big way from the last two seasons.

Obviously, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the catalyst to what makes the Thunder go. He’s an MVP candidate, a leader, and one of the best players in the world. But he’s been getting plenty of help from his supporting cast. Over the tanking seasons, Gilgeous-Alexander’s talent was undeniable. There’s a reason the team is now winning games. He has legitimate NBA players around him and a supporting cast full of budding stars.

His two sidekicks have had unbelievable seasons, and could star on any given night. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren have stepped up to the plate in a big way and and both players are a massive reason for Oklahoma City’s success. Offensively and defensively, both Holmgren and Williams have impacted the game and even taken over games. The Thunder’s foundation was built on defense, and even through the tanking years, the team worked hard and had a solid rating. But the offense struggled.

Now, with Williams and Holmgren, the offense has taken off. Part of that is exemplified by both players ranking inside the top five in the NBA in EFG%. Oklahoma City’s young duo is the most efficient duo in the NBA.

Jalen Williams FGA:

• Restricted Area: 177/258 (68.6%)

• Paint (Non-RA): 115/240 (47.9%)

• Midrange: 60/123 (48.8%)

• Corner 3: 12/23 (52.2%)

• Non-Corner 3s: 79/179 (44.1%)

Overall EFG%: 59.4% (5th in NBA*) pic.twitter.com/J6L8g2fxnt

— NBA University (@NBA_University) March 16, 2024

Holmgren ranks fourth and Williams ranks fifth in the rankings at 60.8% and 59.4%. The only players ahead of them are Domantis Sabonis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic.

1. Sabonis—63.2%
2. Giannis—63.0%
3. Jokic—61.3%
4. Chet—60.8%

— NBA University (@NBA_University) March 16, 2024

Williams is, impressively, the only guard in the top five. His efficiency everywhere on the floor has been impressive, but the restricted area sticks out. J-Dub is shooting 68.6% from the restricted area this season and has been a crafty finisher. He can kiss it off the glass over traffic and has great touch on the move.

He's also shooting 52.2% on corner triples and 44.1% on all other 3-pointers.

Holmgren's incredible rookie season includes a 53.6% from the floor and 39.1% from 3-point range.

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