In the 2024-25 NBA season, Ousmane Dieng, a third-year forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder, appeared in 37 regular-season games, playing a total of 405 minutes. Dieng was also active during the playoffs, logging 32 minutes over nine games after the team advanced beyond the first round. His presence on the court was felt in various rotations, with Dieng playing at least five minutes in 30 games, ten or more minutes in 15 games, and reaching 30 minutes in two contests, including a standout 35-minute, 31-second performance in a Thunder victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on March 7.
Throughout the season, Oklahoma City showed strong results whenever Dieng was on the floor, finishing with a 30-7 record during the regular season when he played and a 6-3 mark during playoff appearances. Dieng contributed an average of 3.8 points per game, shooting 43.2 percent from the field. His overall stats included 2.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.2 blocks per contest. Notably efficient inside the arc, Dieng made 57.4 percent of his two-point attempts. He recorded a three-point shooting percentage of 32.4 and converted nearly 69 percent of free throws.
Despite these contributions, Dieng’s season was interrupted by injuries, causing him to miss multiple stretches: nine games with a right ring finger fracture, five games with a right soleus strain, and a longer absence of 19 games due to a left calf strain. These setbacks limited his ability to establish a consistent role throughout the campaign.
Highlight Moment: Defensive Prowess and Game-Winning Play Against San Antonio
Dieng’s defensive impact was evident across his 267 minutes on the floor, where the Thunder posted an impressive +18.9 net rating and a defensive rating as low as 98.6. These figures underline how Dieng’s length and smart positioning disrupted opponents’ offenses. A key moment came on October 30, 2024, against the San Antonio Spurs when Dieng intercepted a pass from Blake Wesley intended for Sidy Cissoko in the fourth quarter. Driving coast-to-coast, he used a delayed euro-step to evade defenders and score two crucial points. In that game, Dieng recorded five points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 19 minutes.
Most Impressive Performance: February 3 Showdown with Milwaukee Bucks
The Thunder faced the Milwaukee Bucks on February 3 in an intense NBA Cup Final rematch, with both teams missing key rotation players. This provided Dieng a valuable chance for increased playing time, which he seized confidently. Dieng delivered a standout outing, scoring 21 points on 9-for-13 shooting, including 3-for-5 from three-point range. He also contributed eight rebounds, eight assists, and a steal over 31 minutes of action off the bench. His offensive efficiency was highlighted by perfect shooting in restricted-area attempts and accuracy from the top of the key. Dieng finished as the team’s second-highest scorer behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who posted 34 points.
Key Statistical Strength: High Steal Percentage Contributing to Team Defense
Dieng’s defensive skills were further demonstrated by his steal percentage—a measure of how frequently a player intercepts opponent possessions while on the court. He was one of six Thunder players to maintain a steal rate above 2.0 percent, helping Oklahoma City lead the league with a total of 847 steals, edging the Atlanta Hawks by 49 steals. Dieng tallied three more steals than during his rookie season, despite playing significantly fewer minutes, and improved on his sophomore season numbers with eight more steals. He recorded steals in 12 different games and multiple steals in five of those contests.
Future Outlook: Team Option Exercised, Uncertain Rotation Role Ahead
On October 23, 2024, the Thunder exercised Dieng’s 2025-26 team option, keeping him under contract for the upcoming season. However, no rookie contract extension was offered this offseason, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding his role in the team’s rotation moving forward. Dieng has shown gradual improvement over three seasons but will need to build on this progress in the coming year to secure his place as a long-term asset before reaching restricted free agency next summer.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Ousmane Dieng good?
A. Dieng played in 37 games, spending about 10.9 minutes on the court each time. He scored an average of 3.8 points per game and made 43.2% of his shots, with 32.4% coming from beyond the three-point line. His free-throw shooting accuracy was 69%. He also collected 2.2 rebounds, and contributed 0.8 assists along with 0.7 steals or blocks per game.
Q. Who did the Knicks trade Ousmane Dieng for?
A. In the 2022 NBA draft, the New York Knicks picked Dieng as the eleventh overall choice. He was then traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Knicks received three first-round picks for 2023 in return.