Typically, NBA standings are ordered by each team's win-loss record, which is how playoff seeding is determined. However, there is always some value looking into the standings by stats to see which teams are struggling or excelling in certain areas. This can provide some insight as to why a team is performing the way they are.
To begin the 2024-25 NBA season, the Indiana Pacers are 1-2. This includes a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, who were without Joel Embiid and Paul George. The team has not looked like the same team that made the conference finals last season. Though it is just three games, it is a concerning start for the Pacers. Easily their biggest need of improvement is their three-point shooting.
Last season, the Pacers were one of the best three-point shooting teams in the NBA, and it led to them being one of the best offensive teams in the league as well. However, three games into the new campaign, their three-point shooting has taken a drastic step back. See where their three-point efficiency among all the teams in the NBA to begin the 2024-25 season.
Current NBA standings ordered by 3FG%
No. | Team | 3FG% |
|---|---|---|
1 | Boston Celtics | 44.2 |
2 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 43.7 |
T-3 | New York Knicks | 40.4 |
T-3 | Phoenix Suns | 40.4 |
5 | Orlando Magic | 39.4 |
6 | Golden State Warriors | 38.3 |
T-7 | Dallas Mavericks | 37.6 |
T-7 | Brooklyn Nets | 37.6 |
T-9 | Charlotte Hornets | 37.4 |
T-9 | Memphis Grizzlies | 37.4 |
11 | Miami Heat | 36.8 |
12 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 36.7 |
13 | Los Angeles Lakers | 36.3 |
14 | San Antonio Spurs | 35.7 |
15 | Sacramento Kings | 35.6 |
16 | Milwaukee Bucks | 35.5 |
17 | New Orleans Pelicans | 34.7 |
18 | Detroit Pistons | 34.6 |
19 | Chicago Bulls | 34.3 |
20 | Atlanta Hawks | 34.0 |
21 | Houston Rockets | 33.9 |
22 | Toronto Raptors | 33.7 |
23 | Portland Trail Blazers | 33.0 |
24 | Los Angeles Clippers | 31.9 |
25 | Denver Nuggets | 28.8 |
26 | Utah Jazz | 27.9 |
27 | Washington Wizards | 27.8 |
28 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 27.6 |
29 | Philadelphia 76ers | 27.5 |
30 | Indiana Pacers | 26.9 |
The Pacers rank as the worst three-point shooting NBA team
The Pacers ranking as the worst three-point shooting team in the NBA so far is the biggest surprise of the standings. Last season, they shot 37.4% from beyond the arc, which was tied for the ninth-best mark in the league. Additionally, the Pacers brought back essentially the exact same team from last season, making this slow start even more interesting.
As it stands, only five Pacers are shooting above 30% from the three-point line, and two of them shoot fewer than two three-point field goals per game. Those two are Ben Sheppard (66.7% on 1 3PA) and Aaron Nesmith (50% on 1.3 3PA). The rest of the top five are Bennedict Mathurin (33.3%), Jarace Walker (33.3%), and Myles Turner (31.3%)
By far the two biggest disappointments in this area are Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard. Through three games, each guard is shooting 20% and 12.5% from the three-point line, respectively.
We know how good of a three-point shooting team the Pacers are on paper, and it is too soon to panic. As the season progresses, the Pacers should get back into their rhythm and revert to the team they were last season. However, given the Pacers' slow start to the season, it is evident where they need to improve the most. Hopefully, they can fix it before it becomes too late.