As the 2025 NBA Playoffs unfold, stars are expected to shine the brightest — but for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) and Jayson Tatum, the spotlight has highlighted more struggles than dominance. Both are All-NBA talents, MVP candidates during the regular season, and the clear leaders of their respective teams. However, in the postseason, efficiency matters more than volume, and through several rounds, both players have surprisingly found themselves among the most inefficient scorers of this year’s playoff run. 🤯
Let’s start with SGA, who had a phenomenal regular season, finishing top three in MVP voting and leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a top seed in the West. His game is built on smooth midrange jumpers, crafty finishes, and an uncanny ability to draw fouls. But in the playoffs, defenses tighten, scouting intensifies, and whistles get a bit less generous. As a result, SGA’s signature rhythm has been disrupted. His field goal percentage has dipped noticeably, especially from midrange and three, and he’s struggled to create easy looks without as many free trips to the line. His turnovers have also ticked up under increased pressure, revealing cracks in what seemed like an unstoppable offensive game.
On the other side, Jayson Tatum has continued his trend of postseason inefficiency — something Celtics fans have seen before. Despite putting up solid counting stats, his shooting splits tell a more concerning story. Tatum has often started games slowly, missing open looks and settling for contested step-backs. While he eventually finds ways to contribute — usually through rebounding, playmaking, or defense — his scoring efficiency has often put the Celtics in early deficits. A superstar of his caliber shooting below 43% from the field and struggling from deep is not ideal, especially for a team with championship aspirations.
Both players are facing elite defenses, no doubt. But their shot selection, decision-making, and lack of offensive flow at times have only made things worse. SGA has leaned heavily on isolation and midrange looks, which, while effective in the regular season, are easier to defend in playoff schemes. Tatum, meanwhile, can become overly reliant on his jumper and often hesitates to attack the rim decisively, especially when faced with physical defenders.
What’s most surprising isn’t that they’ve had bad games — every star does — but that the inefficiency has been a trend rather than an exception. The playoffs expose weaknesses, and both SGA and Tatum are learning that tough shot-making alone can’t carry a team to the Finals. Efficiency, especially from your franchise player, is the difference between surviving a seven-game series and going home early.
If their teams are going to make deep runs, both stars will need to adjust quickly — get to their spots more efficiently, trust their teammates, and avoid forcing bad shots. The talent is there. But right now, the numbers don’t lie: SGA and Tatum have been two of the most inefficient stars of the playoffs so far. 🤯
Want a breakdown of their exact shooting stats or shot charts?
