Gilgeous-Alexander dominates clutch time, burying game-winners and leading his team late. His record speaks volumes for the award.
The NBA Clutch Player of the Year award is intended to honor “the player who best comes through for his teammates late in close games” according to NBA.com. De’Aaron Fox, Stephen Curry and Jalen Brunson have won the award since its inception before the 2023 season.
The league defines clutch time as the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the score is within five points. What did Fox, Curry and Brunson have in common in terms of clutch time stats? They all finished either first or second in total clutch points and also had winning records in clutch games when they played. Although the award was recently created, these two criteria appear to be the most important bullet points for voters.
Here are the current top-five players this season in total clutch points, along with team records in clutch time when they play.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (153 clutch points, 17-7 record)
- Tyrese Maxey (143 clutch points, 18-15 record)
- Jamal Murray (138 clutch points, 14-16 record)
- Anthony Edwards (132 clutch points, 14-9 record)
- Cade Cunningham (121 clutch points, 21-9 record)
- Nikola Jokić (121 clutch points, 9-15 record)
Gilgeous-Alexander currently possesses a 10-point lead over Maxey in total clutch points despite nine fewer clutch games! The reigning league MVP also has numerous iconic game-winners and fourth quarters during the Thunder’s past four games that are fresh in the minds of voters.
He hit a dagger triple with 1:18 remaining that cemented Oklahoma City’s three-point win over New York on March 4.
Next, the Thunder held a two-point lead over the Warriors with 42 seconds remaining on March 7. Gilgeous-Alexander proceeded to make a stepback three pointer and a pair of free throws to seal the victory.
Next, he knocked down a pair of triples in the final 13 seconds to lead the shorthanded Thunder to a three-point win over the Nuggets on March 9.
Finally, Gilgeous-Alexander also scored 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field in the fourth quarter of Oklahoma City’s two-point win over Boston on March 12. This included a two-point jumper with 30 seconds left to give the Thunder the lead.
Overall, it’s easy to see why Gilgeous-Alexander is the clear frontrunner to win Clutch Player of the Year this season. Maxey is also out for the next few weeks due to injury. Murray and Jokić cannibalize each other’s cases, and Denver’s clutch record is also poor. Now, Edwards and Cunningham could make a late push down the stretch and potentially claim the award, but it’s highly unlikely.
Gilgeous-Alexander and Edwards face off tomorrow (March 15) at noon Central on ABC. Should Gilgeous-Alexander outduel Minnesota’s superstar in clutch time, then the race is probably over.