The Numbers Don't Lie: A Mid-Season Advanced Analytics Check-In for the 2025-26 NBA Season

We’re past the All-Star break, and the NBA season is hurtling towards the playoffs. While the standings give us a good idea of who’s winning, the underlying advanced metrics tell a more detailed story. Traditional box scores are fine, but they often miss the subtle impacts players have on the court. Today, we're diving deep into the numbers that really matter, pulling back the curtain on player efficiency, scoring effectiveness, and overall team impact. It’s March 9, 2026, and here’s what the advanced stats are telling us.

Player Efficiency Rating (PER) Leaders: The All-Around Dominators

PER, or Player Efficiency Rating, is a per-minute measure of a player's performance, adjusted for pace. It aggregates all positive accomplishments (field goals, free throws, 3-pointers, assists, rebounds, blocks, steals) and subtracts negative ones (missed shots, turnovers, personal fouls). A league average PER is 15.0, so anything above that signifies an above-average player. This season, the top of the PER leaderboard features a mix of familiar faces and a few rising stars solidifying their places among the league's elite.

Nikola Jokic, as expected, is once again leading the league with a staggering PER of 32.1. His ability to impact every facet of the game – scoring efficiently, helping at an elite level, and rebounding with consistency – makes him a PER monster year after year. Right behind him, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is having an MVP-caliber season, posting a PER of 29.8. SGA's improved efficiency from all areas of the court, combined with his continued excellence in drawing fouls and converting at the line, has propelled him to this lofty position. Giannis Antetokounmpo (28.9) and Luka Doncic (28.5) are also firmly entrenched in the top tier, showcasing their all-around brilliance. A pleasant surprise in the top five is Paolo Banchero, whose PER of 27.2 highlights his significant leap this season. He's become a more consistent scorer and playmaker, carrying a heavy load for the Magic.

True Shooting Percentage (TS%) Leaders: The Efficient Scorers

True Shooting Percentage (TS%) is a more thorough measure of shooting efficiency than field goal percentage, as it accounts for 3-pointers and free throws. It gives us a clearer picture of how effectively a player converts their scoring opportunities. A player might have a lower field goal percentage but still be highly efficient if they shoot a lot of threes or get to the free-throw line often.

This season, the TS% leaders are a evidence of modern NBA scoring. Kevin Durant, even at 37, remains incredibly efficient, leading the league with a TS% of 67.5%. His mid-range game is still deadly, and he rarely takes bad shots. Tyrese Haliburton is having a career year in efficiency, sitting at 66.8% TS%. His ability to convert from deep and his proficiency at the rim make him a scoring threat that doesn't waste possessions. Another player making waves is Jonathan Kuminga, whose TS% of 65.2% shows a significant jump in his shot selection and finishing ability. He’s cut down on contested jumpers and is attacking the rim with more purpose. The big men also feature prominently: Domantas Sabonis (64.9%) and Bam Adebayo (64.5%) are both excellent finishers around the basket, capitalizing on high-percentage looks.

Win Shares (WS): Measuring Overall Contribution

Win Shares is an estimate of the number of wins a player contributes to their team. It’s a cumulative stat, so players who play more minutes and are more efficient will naturally accumulate more Win Shares. It’s broken down into offensive and defensive Win Shares, providing insight into a player’s impact on both ends of the floor.

Once again, Nikola Jokic leads the league in total Win Shares with 14.2. His remarkable offensive efficiency (10.1 Offensive Win Shares) combined with his underrated defensive impact (4.1 Defensive Win Shares) makes him the league’s most valuable player by this metric. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is right there with him at 13.5 total Win Shares, driven by his incredible scoring and playmaking. Giannis Antetokounmpo (12.8) and Luka Doncic (12.1) follow suit, consistent high performers in this category. An interesting name in the top five is Jarrett Allen, who has accumulated 9.8 Win Shares. While not a flashy scorer, Allen’s elite rebounding, rim protection, and efficient finishing contribute significantly to the Cavaliers’ success, making him a Win Share darling. For more insights, see our coverage on 76ers vs Pacers: Eastern Conference Playoff Push Showdown.

RAPTOR and EPM Ratings: Unveiling True Impact

RAPTOR (strong Algorithm (using) Player Tracking (and) On/Off Ratings) and EPM (Estimated Plus/Minus) are two of the most respected all-in-one advanced metrics. They attempt to measure a player's overall impact on the game, accounting for teammates, opponents, and various game situations. These metrics often highlight players whose contributions might not be obvious in traditional box scores. For more insights, see our coverage on NBA Week 20: Playoff Picture & Standings Analysis.

This season, the RAPTOR and EPM leaders largely mirror the PER and Win Share leaders, reinforcing the idea that the truly dominant players excel across most metrics. Nikola Jokic has the highest RAPTOR +/-, sitting at +10.5, and an EPM of +9.8. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is close behind, with a RAPTOR of +9.8 and EPM of +9.2. Giannis Antetokounmpo (+8.9 RAPTOR, +8.5 EPM) and Luka Doncic (+8.7 RAPTOR, +8.3 EPM) also hold strong positions.

Underrated by Traditional Stats, Elite by Advanced Metrics

This is where RAPTOR and EPM really shine. One player consistently showing up as highly impactful despite not always filling up the stat sheet is Herb Jones. His RAPTOR is +4.5, and his EPM is +4.2, placing him among the league's top defenders and valuable role players. Jones rarely scores 20 points, but his defensive versatility, ability to guard multiple positions, and intelligent off-ball movement make the Pelicans significantly better when he's on the floor. His impact on limiting opponent scoring and forcing turnovers is clearly reflected in these metrics.

Another player whose advanced numbers tell a richer story is Derrick White. While his individual scoring numbers are solid, his RAPTOR of +4.1 and EPM of +3.9 speak to his exceptional two-way play for the Celtics. White's defensive activity, playmaking, and efficient spot-up shooting are incredibly valuable, often flying under the radar compared to his higher-usage teammates. He consistently makes the right play and impacts winning in ways that don't always translate to flashy box score totals.

Finally, we have Kevon Looney. His traditional stats are modest – around 6 points and 8 rebounds per game. Yet, his RAPTOR of +3.8 and EPM of +3.5 point to his immense value for the Warriors. Looney's screening, offensive rebounding, defensive positioning, and ability to help ball movement from the high post are critical to Golden State's system. He's a master of the little things that lead to team success, and the advanced metrics capture that perfectly.

Team Deep Dive: Thunder's Defensive Rating and Celtics' Offensive Efficiency

Moving from individual players to teams, the advanced metrics provide clear insights into team strengths and weaknesses. The Oklahoma City Thunder, currently leading the Western Conference, have built their success on an elite defense. Their Defensive Rating of 107.5 is the best in the league, meaning they allow 107.5 points per 100 possessions. This isn't just about individual defensive talent, though they have plenty with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, and Chet Holmgren. It's their collective effort, disciplined rotations, and ability to force turnovers without fouling that makes them so stifling. Holmgren's rim protection has elevated their defense significantly, allowing their perimeter defenders to be more aggressive. Their defensive scheme is a masterclass in modern NBA defense.

On the other side of the ball, the Boston Celtics continue to be an offensive juggernaut. Their Offensive Rating of 120.3 is the highest in the NBA, showcasing their ability to generate high-quality shots and convert efficiently. The Celtics' offensive system, built around ball movement, spacing, and multiple playmakers, is incredibly difficult to defend. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are the primary scorers, but the contributions of Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jrue Holiday in creating advantages and knocking down shots make them incredibly potent. They rarely turn the ball over and are excellent at getting to the free-throw line, two key ingredients for offensive efficiency.

What's Next

As the season progresses, these advanced metrics will continue to tell the story of who's truly performing at an elite level. While the eye test and traditional stats have their place, understanding PER, TS%, Win Shares, RAPTOR, and EPM gives us a much richer and more accurate picture of player and team impact. The players highlighted as underrated by these metrics are often the unsung heroes, the glue guys who make winning possible. The Thunder's defense and the Celtics' offense are not flukes; they are products of sustained excellence that the numbers clearly support. The race for the playoffs and individual awards will get even more intense, and these underlying numbers will be a key guide in understanding who truly deserves the accolades.