Look, we're a good chunk into the 2025-26 season, and the picture for who you want with the ball in their hands when the clock is ticking down is getting clearer. Forget the narratives for a second. We’re talking about who actually delivers in the last five minutes of a game, or in overtime, when the score is within five points. That’s "clutch time," according to the NBA, and it separates the good from the truly great.
Nikola Jokic, as usual, is making a strong case, but maybe not in the way you’d expect. He’s not always the guy taking the last shot, but he’s the guy making the *right* play. This season, Jokic is shooting an astounding 62.5% from the field in clutch situations, averaging 2.8 points per clutch game. Remember that November 12th game against the Lakers? Denver was down one with 15 seconds left. Jokic didn't shoot. He got the offensive rebound off a Jamal Murray miss, then fired a pinpoint cross-court pass to Michael Porter Jr. for the game-winning corner three with 2.1 seconds left. That's clutch.
But if you want pure buckets, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still that dude. SGA has elevated his game to another level this year, and his clutch numbers reflect it. He's leading the league with 3.5 points per clutch game, hitting 55.1% of his shots. His signature move, the step-back mid-range, is almost unguardable when the pressure is on. On December 3rd, against the Mavericks, OKC was tied at 108 with 8 seconds left. Gilgeous-Alexander drove hard right, faked a pass, then pulled up from 18 feet over Luka Doncic for the go-ahead jumper with 1.3 seconds remaining. It was pure poetry. The Thunder are 8-3 in games decided by five points or less this season, largely thanks to him.
Then there’s Damian Lillard, who, despite moving to Milwaukee a couple of seasons ago, still has ice in his veins. Dame has hit three game-winners already this year, including a ridiculously deep 30-footer against the Celtics on November 27th to break a 115-115 tie with 0.8 seconds left. He's shooting 48.7% from the field in clutch time, averaging 3.1 points. His ability to draw fouls in crunch time is also critical; he's attempted 15 free throws in the last five minutes of close games, converting 14 of them. That's a huge advantage when possessions are at a premium.
An unexpected name climbing this list is Cade Cunningham. The Pistons, while still rebuilding, are playing in more close games, and Cunningham is thriving in those moments. He’s averaging 2.9 points in clutch situations, shooting 50.5% from the field. He's showing a real knack for creating his own shot late in the clock. His game-winner against the Bulls on December 15th was a thing of beauty: a hesitation dribble at the top of the key, a quick crossover, and then a floater over Alex Caruso that kissed off the glass as the buzzer sounded, giving Detroit a 102-100 win. That kind of confidence from a young guy is rare.
Here's the thing: while those guys are making headlines, we can't ignore the quiet efficiency of Stephen Curry. He's not asked to hit game-winners as often anymore with Klay Thompson and Draymond Green still around, but when he does, it's usually lights out. Curry is hitting 58.3% of his clutch shots this season, including 50% from three, and has 2.4 points per clutch game. Remember the November 8th game against the Jazz? Golden State was down two with 10 seconds left. Curry got the ball, dribbled twice across half-court, and calmly pulled up from 28 feet for a dagger three with 3.2 seconds left that put the Warriors up by one. The old man still has it.
My hot take? Despite the raw numbers, give me SGA over anyone else right now for one possession. He’s got the perfect blend of shot creation, efficiency, and fearlessness. No one is stopping his mid-range pull-up when the game is on the line.
Bold prediction: By the end of this season, Cade Cunningham will have more game-winning shots than Stephen Curry.
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