After 11 games, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to dominate in many facets of his game, whether it be scoring, rebounding, or facilitating. When it comes to his 3-point shooting, the picture remains one of nuance: improvement in some areas, but still not a full transformation into a high-volume outside shooter.
Giannis' shooting has been improved
Giannis has shot 8-of-16 after 11 games, with an average of 1.6 attempts per game. In comparison to previous seasons, his volume and efficiency from deep were much lower. For example, in 2023-24, he shot 27.4 percent from 3-point land, albeit with higher relative volume.
While the 50.0 percent success rate is a drastic improvement and eye-catching, the very low number of attempts means it should be treated cautiously, as this isn't yet evidence of a major shift in his overall game. His overall field goal efficiency remains extremely high (63 percent) thus far this season, suggesting he continues to opt for high-percentage shots near the rim or in the paint.
Although Antetokounmpo is not taking a lot of shots from beyond the arc, the few attempts that he is taking are being converted at a much higher rate than in seasons past. Additionally, it seems that when he shoots the 3-point shot so far this season and converts, it is usually a clutch shot in crunch time.
Giannis' shot selection remains inside-out. His game continues to be built overwhelmingly around attacking the rim, finishing inside, drawing fouls, and operating in the mid-range or paint, as opposed to being a primary catch-and-shoot threat from deep.
By him shooting and hitting his threes this season so far at a higher rate, this opens up driving lanes, forces defenders to respect the perimeter, and changes how teams guard him. Opposing defenses are more comfortably sagging off his perimeter role and focus more on the paint, which gives him the open 3-point shot all day.
While his overall field goal percentage remains elite, the lack of deep threat volume from him sure isn't crippling his offensive output. There are some areas to watch, such as whether he will increase his volume on a per-game basis, whether the Bucks and coach Doc Rivers encourage more 3-point attempts from him, and whether he can continue his 50 percent success rate from 3-point land.
Of the 16 three-point shots Giannis has taken so far this season, they have all been open, high-quality shots. Few of them have been forced, either. If he becomes more of a real 3-point threat, defense will eventually adjust and sag less off of him with more pick-and-pop coverages.
In the early stages of the 2025-26 season, Giannis Antetokounmpo's three-point shot remains a bonus, rather than a core pillar of his game. The higher percentage is promising and fun to watch, but the minimal volume means it's not yet meaningful in terms of how opponents guard him or how the Milwaukee Bucks build their offense.
Let's make no mistake about it, his strengths - driving to the rim, finishing through contact, dominating the paint - remain firmly the backbone of his offensive game.
If the 3-point volume can rise modestly without a steep drop in accuracy, then his shot could evolve from a peripheral weapon into a more meaningful one. Should that evolution come to fruition, it could free up more spacing for the Bucks and further elevate Giannis' all-around offensive threat.