As always adept at three-pointers, Isaiah Joe also excels on defense
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell and Alec Caruso are all ready against the CavsMark Daigneault logically decided to start Isaiah Joe for the fourth time this year. Not always productive this season in this context, the striker did not miss his chance this time.
With 30 minutes of play, the guard finished as the team’s best scorer with 22 points (6/13 on shots) with six transferred baskets (6/11 from long range). An outing that confirmed his current form: 18.5 points average in six games, shooting an impressive 55.6% from behind. During the season, he scored 42.2%, which is the best of his career.
« For years now, every time I’ve been asked about his shooting, I’ve been systematically deviating from his feel for the game. There’s a lot more to this guy’s game than just his skill. This is clearly his elite talent. That’s why he’s in the NBA. That’s why he comes into play. But he works a lot on the field », would like to highlight Mark Daign.
Proof, even if he takes most of his shots from behind the arc, he’s not just a shooter waiting for the ball in the corner. In the first quarter against the Cavs, for example, we saw him play the “backdoor” baseline, which allowed him to recover a foul after being served by Isaiah Hartenstein.
He doesn’t pay attention to labels
« It is excellent for cutting circles. If you defend too high on him, he is very clever: he will take you from behind with a back-cut to finish in the circle. He is also a high jumper. He has the full game, that’s for sure “, describes Cason Wallace.
In the same game, we also saw his good defensive investment. James Harden’s lobbing attempt to Jarrett Allen deflected off the first ball. He blocked the way again with his beard on his transfer to the pick-and-roll.
In this first quarter alone, Isaiah Joe was credited with five interceptions (and not one later), which is a new career high. Enough to complete one of the most complete outings of the season for a player, among the most active in his training session to provoke powerful passes and rebound balls.
His defense? ” From a young age, I was always proud of it. Being smaller than the others on the field, you don’t want to be the weak link. We have great defenders. In almost every match, we can rely exclusively on defense. So as soon as I’m on the floor, I just try to stay physical, make the right rotations, create strong passes and look to win through defense », Describes the back part.
The latter, more generally, says that he pays no attention to “ labels ». « I guess my playstyle allows people to handle it. It can be a compliment, and I think it makes other teams wary of you. But for my part, I just play my game, take what the defense gives me and stay aggressive », term-t-il.
https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=2L9pcIjKjvE
| Isaiah Joe | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | The team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | That | Pd | Ft | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | PHI | 41 | 9:20 | 36.1 | 36.8 | 75.0 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 3.7 |
| 2021-22 | PHI | 55 | 11:04 | 35.0 | 33.3 | 93.5 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 3.6 |
| 2022-23 | OKC | 73 | 19:07 | 44.1 | 40.9 | 82.0 | 0.4 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 9.5 |
| 2023-24 | OKC | 78 | 18:32 | 45.8 | 41.6 | 86.5 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 8.2 |
| 2024-25 | OKC | 74 | 21:41 | 44.0 | 41.2 | 82.1 | 0.6 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 10.2 |
| 2025-26 | OKC | 49 | 21:20 | 44.3 | 42.2 | 88.2 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 10.8 |
How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.
2026-02-24 16:56:00
