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When Luke Kennard releases a shot this season, the crowd’s reaction often shifts from expectation to surprise — because more times than not, it falls through the net. The Atlanta Hawks’ veteran sharpshooter has put together a shooting profile that is turning heads and raising a debate: could this be one of the most efficient shooting seasons in NBA annals?
Kennard’s uncanny efficiency: the numbers making noise
Through late January, Kennard’s splits stand out in three major categories. He’s converting at an elite clip from the floor, torched the 3-point line, and is nearly automatic at the stripe.
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- FG%: 53.7%
- 3P%: 49.3%
- FT%: 93.8%
Those exact combined marks haven’t appeared in a single NBA season before, according to analysis shared publicly. That mix of accuracy across all shooting types is what fuels talk of a historic run.
Volume and role: why the eye test tempers the hype
Numbers can be misleading without context. Kennard is not a primary scorer this season.
- Points per game: 7.9
- Field-goal attempts per game: 5.2
- 3-point attempts per game: 3.3
- Free-throw attempts per game: under 1
So critics note a simple point: when a player shoots sparingly, percentages can stay high. That said, hitting makes regardless of volume is still valuable for a team that needs spacing.
Context with all-time great shooters: how Kennard stacks up
Historically, players have posted elite marks in one or two categories. Few have combined elite 3-point accuracy with exceptional field-goal and free-throw percentages in the same season.
Think of the league’s top snipers and free-throw artists. Some hit threes at absurd rates. Others lead the league in FT% with high volume. Kennard’s case is unusual because of the balance across all metrics.
Why balanced splits matter
- Defenses must respect him on catch-and-shoot attempts.
- Elite free-throw precision suggests confidence under pressure.
- High FG% shows effective shot selection and finishing.
How Kennard’s form affects the Hawks
As a left-handed guard known for spacing, Kennard’s hot shooting stretches defenses and opens driving lanes. He rarely creates much offense for himself, but his threat as a shooter changes opponents’ coverages.
The Hawks benefit when role players convert at high rates. Kennard’s presence influences pick-and-roll coverages and helps stars get cleaner looks.
Key variables to monitor for the rest of the season
If Kennard is to keep trending toward historical company, several things must happen.
- Maintain shooting splits under larger sample size.
- Avoid prolonged cold stretches that drag percentages down.
- Possibly pick up a little more volume to validate efficiency.
- Stay healthy and available for the full season.
Small nightly fluctuations matter less than the trajectory across an entire campaign. Analysts will revisit his numbers when the regular season closes.
Quick takes: other NBA stories to watch
- Luka Dončić shattered a milestone once owned by a pioneering big man.
- The 76ers face a looming payroll puzzle tied to their franchise center.
- Donovan Mitchell matched a record that ties him to LeBron in Cavs lore.
- Dillon Brooks’ game has dimensions beyond his public feuds.
- Charles Barkley publicly criticized a major network and stirred debate.
- Trae Young must confront reality after a roster shakeup that involved the Hawks.
