Looking Into 2024-25 OKC Thunder's Playoff Scoring Profile, Part Two: Mid-Range Scoring

The reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder got to the rim consistently during its 2025 playoff run, averaging the third-most restricted-area attempts (24.9) and second-most restricted-area makes (16.1). Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander each averaged over three rim makes, while Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso offered complementary baskets.

The playoff Thunder shot 64.7% in the restricted area, slightly under the 16 teams' cumulative percentage (2,433-for-3,733, 65.2%). However, Oklahoma City eclipsed league-average efficiency in both mid-range categories.

An NBA court's paint is a 16-by-19-foot rectangle. It spans from the baseline to free-throw line and encompasses the hoop. Paint attempts that are not within the restricted area result in extremely similar percentages to general mid-range shots.

During the postseason, the Thunder averaged 18.2 non-rim paint attempts (No. 7 in NBA) and 8.2 non-rim paint makes (No. 7 in NBA). This 45.0% percentage exceeded the average by 1.1%, as all 16 teams shot 1,319-for-3,005 from this zone.

Three Oklahoma City players made at least one non-rim paint shot per game. Gilgeous-Alexander shot 47.4% while averaging 6.0 attempts, although Williams shot just 41.9% on 4.0 attempts per game.

Hartenstein led the way by making 33 of 60 attempts (55.0%), thanks to his potent floater touch.

All field goals between the paint and 3-point line are mid-range shots. These were the least efficient attempts throughout the 2025 playoffs, as all teams combined for 701-for-1,741 shooting (40.3%).

The Thunder averaged 11.5 attempts (No. 5 in NBA) and 4.9 makes (No. 4 in NBA), adding up to the fourth-best percentage (41.5%) among playoff teams.

Oklahoma City's two All-Stars boasted most of this production, with Gilgeous-Alexander racking up over half his team's makes on 46.1% shooting. He maintained quality mid-range efficiency as his rim and 3-point numbers dived from the regular season.

The Thunder shot 300-for-688 (43.6%) on non-rim paint attempts and mid-range attempts, as every playoff team combined for 2,020-for-4,746 (42.6%) shooting.

Oklahoma City's playoff 2-point scoring profile: Elite volume and slightly below-average efficiency in the restricted area, with slightly above-average volume and efficiency on mid-range shots.

Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams and Holmgren, the Thunder's three leading postseason scorers, combined for 43.5% shooting on 21.7 mid-range attempts per game. This was the third-highest volume but fourth-worst efficiency among the last 10 championship trios, further indicating how the Thunder was a defense-first team. After all, Oklahoma City's threesome also posted the worst rim efficiency (64.1%) since the 2016-17 Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson (61.8%).

Gilgeous-Alexander was the Thunder's only reliable mid-range threat across all four playoff rounds, countering packed defenses with his signature change of pace and space creation. Williams — with a torn ligament in his shooting wrist — saw his percentages around the court decline for the second straight postseason, while Holmgren has not yet added a consistent off-the-dribble game.

Oklahoma City nevertheless finished with positive mid-range efficiency compared to the field thanks to its superstar, who scored those baskets at will without being assisted.