Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Wins NBA Clutch Player of the Year
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The NBA has named Oklahoma City Thunder guard and reigning Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the 2025-26 Clutch Player of the Year, the league office announced.
Gilgeous-Alexander accumulated a league-best 175 points in clutch situations, shooting 51.5% from the field across 125.1 clutch minutes. His 52 made field goals in those moments also led the NBA and came despite playing 52.3 fewer clutch minutes than Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, who finished second with 166 points.
The 25-year-old recorded an NBA-leading 16 go-ahead baskets inside the final five minutes of regulation or overtime, highlighted by a game-winning step-back three-pointer at Denver on March 9. Oklahoma City posted a 124.5 offensive rating and a 23.8 net rating in clutch time—both second in the league—and went 24-10 in games that reached clutch status.
According to the NBA’s tracking data, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 6.5 points per clutch appearance, the highest mark among players who logged more than one clutch game this season.
Murray and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards were the other finalists. A media panel awarded Gilgeous-Alexander 96 of a possible 100 first-place votes, while Murray edged Edwards by one vote for second place.
This is the fourth year the league has presented the Clutch Player award. New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson captured the honor last season.
Source: Hoops Rumors
