Thunder’s Keyontae Johnson Displaying Impressive Efficiency in G League

While he didn’t see any action, Keyontae Johnson was available for the Thunder’s game against the Lakers on Saturday. While it was likely just protocol, it was a step in the right direction for the rookie and a testament to how well he has been playing in the G League. In 13 games with the Blue this season, he’s averaging 19.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 53.9% shooting and 43.2% from 3-point range. His stats look solid on paper, as he’s checking off a lot of different boxes overall. But the most encouraging part about Johnson’s stint in the G League is his efficiency. He’s taking 12.7 shots per game and 3.4 3-point attempts, which makes his percentages that much

more impressive. For a rookie, Johnson looks very polished and ready to play.

Continuing his consistency with the Blue will only help build trust when the

Thunder need him to step in and play on a two-way contract.

The fact that Johnson’s performance in the G League appears to be a continuation of his last collegiate season at Kansas State is the most encouraging aspect of his career. He became an excellent offensive player and a knockout shot. He made 55.4% of his 3-pointers from within the arc and 40.5% from beyond it in 2022–2023. The January calendar for Oklahoma City is jam-packed with 17 games, including back-to-backs, and numerous one-day breaks. Over such difficult periods, Mark Daigneault has already discussed the importance of playing a lot of people and keeping legs fresh. Johnson might be able to work his way into the rotation if he can just be an effective 3-and-D player for Oklahoma City. For the time being, keeping steady and growing in the G League will be enormous for the Kansas State merchandise.