Jordan Clarkson Knocks Down Career Efficiency with Knicks

From Sixth Man to Scoring Surgeon: How Jordan Clarkson is Elevating the Knicks

The New York Knicks' early-season success isn't just about Jalen Brunson's MVP-caliber play or their stifling defense. A crucial, often overlooked factor has been the career renaissance of veteran guard Jordan Clarkson. After a slow start, Clarkson has transformed into one of the NBA's most efficient sixth men, providing the exact spark plug the franchise desperately needed off the bench.

Career-High Efficiency by the Numbers

At 33 years old in his 12th season, Clarkson is defying expectations with the best efficiency metrics of his career:

• 57.1% on two-point shots (career high)
• 38.5% from three-point range (career high)
• 69% shooting around the basket (personal best)

His shot selection has undergone a dramatic evolution. Clarkson has nearly eliminated his midrange diet, with only 26% of his shots coming from that area – the lowest mark of his career. Instead, he's leaning heavily on:

• Three-point volume: 53% of his attempts now come from beyond the arc
• Rampaged drives: His rim frequency has increased by nearly 50% compared to last season

The Knicks' System: Unlocking Clarkson's Potential

What makes Clarkson's transformation sustainable? It's not magic – it's system synergy. The Knicks' emphasis on elite spacing and constant ball movement creates perfect conditions for Clarkson to thrive:

• Spot-up mastery: Over 39% of his threes are spot-up opportunities – up from 23.6% last season
• Assisted dominance: 50% of his two-point baskets come off assists – a career-high (previously max 37%)
• Jalen Brunson synergy: Playing alongside Brunson boosts Clarkson's three-point percentage by a staggering 18 percentage points during their shared minutes

As Daily Knicks notes, "playing beside a floor-spacing big and a handful of on-ball creators with a ton of off-ball gravity is a good thing." Clarkson's willingness to move without the ball and capitalize on open looks has turned him from a streaky scorer into a reliable offensive weapon.

Historic Bench Scoring Milestone

Clarkson's impact goes beyond efficiency metrics. During a recent dominant win over Memphis, he etched his name in NBA history:

Clarkson entered the top 10 in all-time bench scoring with 8,137 career points off the bench.

This achievement underscores his consistent value as a scoring threat throughout his career with the Lakers, Cavaliers, Jazz, and now Knicks.

Knicks' Winning Formula

Clarkson's efficiency surge coincides with the Knicks' best start in years. With a 7-3 record and a five-game winning streak (including a perfect 7-0 at home), his contributions are proving pivotal:

• Scoring in double figures in 4 of his last 5 games
• Averaging 12.0 points per game in November
• Providing crucial scoring punch when Brunson rests

As Yahoo Sports highlights, the Knicks "have not hesitated to play him alongside Jalen Brunson," trusting Clarkson's improved decision-making and shot selection. This chemistry has been a driving force behind their early dominance.

The Road Ahead

While Clarkson acknowledges the system's role in his success, his personal commitment to reinvention is undeniable. By embracing a reduced role and focusing on quality shots over volume, he's unlocked a new level of effectiveness. For the Knicks, Clarkson isn't just filling a roster spot – he's providing a blueprint for how veterans can extend their impact in modern NBA offenses. As long as the ball movement continues and the spacing remains crisp, Clarkson's career-best efficiency might just be the new normal in New York.