With Klay Thompson slated to miss the season due to injury, the Golden State Warriors were going to have to lean on new acquisition Kelly Oubre Jr. However, the former member of the Phoenix Suns struggled to find his rhythm shooting the ball to start the season.
Through three games, Oubre Jr. shot 17.5% from the field on 13.3 attempts in 25.3 minutes per contest. The five-year pro shooting dilemma extended beyond the arc. Through his opening stint with Golden State, Oubre failed to knock down a triple on 17 attempts.
During the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons, Oubre Jr.’s slump came to an end. With the Warriors leading by two points early in the first quarter against the Pistons, Oubre Jr. dropped his first 3-pointer with the Warriors on a pass from Kevon Looney. Following Oubre Jr.’s jumper falling, Golden State’s bench erupted in celebration.
Watch Oubre Jr.’s first long-range make of the season via @NBCSWarriors on Twitter:
OUBRE HITS THE THREE 🙌 pic.twitter.com/9w9D5QH1lT
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) December 30, 2020
Over his career, Oubre Jr. is shooting 32.4% from beyond the arc on 3.7 attempts per game. During his 2019-20 campaign with Phoenix, the Kansas product notched a career-best clip, shooting 35.2% from long-distance.
To compete for a spot in the Western Conference Playoffs, the Warriors will need Oubre Jr. to consistently be a threat from the 3-point line. Tuesday’s jumper was a step in the right direction.
