Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wins NBA Clutch Player of the Year, beating out Anthony Edwards

Atlantic76ersCelticsKnicksNetsRaptorsCentralBucksBullsCavaliersPacersPistonsSoutheastHawksHeatHornetsMagicWizardsSouthwestGrizzliesMavericksPelicansRocketsSpursNorthwestJazzNuggetsThunderTimberwolvesTrail BlazersPacificClippersKingsLakersSunsWarriorsScores & ScheduleStandingsThe Bounce NewsletterNBA DraftPodcastsFantasyNBA OddsNBA PicksFirst-Round PredictionsHollinger's Playoff PreviewThe Bucks' Season From HellPlayer Poll: Who Will Win Title?Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wins NBA Clutch Player of the Year, beating out Anthony EdwardsGilgeous-Alexander delivered several big moments en route to winning this award. Joshua Gateley / Getty Images Share articleOKLAHOMA CITY — During Oklahoma City’s injury-ravaged season, Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander found himself in the clutch often — moments he not only anticipates, but reveled in this year. Now, he’s been rewarded for it. On Tuesday, the NBA announced that Gilgeous-Alexander was voted as this season’s winner of the Clutch Player of the Year Award, aka the Jerry West Trophy. Gilgeous-Alexander is the fourth different recipient in as many seasons, following Jalen Brunson, Stephen Curry and De’Aaron Fox. The Thunder (64-18) were 24-10 in clutch games during the regular season, the NBA’s second-best such winning percentage behind the Los Angeles Lakers (22-8). Individually, Gilgeous-Alexander was 20-7 in such games. Per the NBA’s “Clutch” tracking data, which accounts for the final five minutes of a game in which the score differential is five points or fewer, Gilgeous-Alexander’s average of 6.5 points in the clutch is the best in the NBA among those who played more than one clutch game. He shot 51.5 percent from the field and 35.1 percent from deep in clutch time. On go-ahead/game-tying shots inside within the final two minutes of regulation or overtime, Gilgeous-Alexander’s 27 makes this season were the second-most in the NBA behind the Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey. He shot 63.4 percent on such attempts, second to New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson. But zoom in further: On go-ahead shots, SGA recorded a league-leading 17 makes and shot 58.6 percent on those looks. The gravity of Gilgeous-Alexander’s season was underscored in the fourth quarter. He seemed to consistently press two buttons: His dominance either ensured he never needed to play the final 12 minutes, or his circumstances determined he could wear the cape for the final five. Perhaps no week better encapsulated his late-game gall than the eight days from March 4-12, four straight wins versus the Knicks, Warriors, Nuggets and Celtics. Gilgeous-Alexander did not discriminate. He gave Denver a farewell with a leaning 3 at the buzzer. He gave the Thunder breathing room against the Warriors and Knicks with similar sidestep 3s with less than two minutes to play. All games decided in the clutch amid a tight race atop the Western Conference. All decided by SGA’s hand. Now, his regular season will be remembered for it. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms