Clutch Player Ladder: De'Aaron Fox finishes the season on top

The most favorable comment one can make about De’Aaron Fox’s performance this season is that he typically delivered when it mattered the most.

Earning the title of a certified winner by carrying his team to the playoffs is possibly the greatest praise a player can receive. However, being trusted by your coach and teammates to perform under pressure and seldom disappointing them is also an incredible compliment. This is because it signifies that you consistently “come through when it counts”.

It’s the definition of a clutch player, and that’s what Fox is and has been since the regular season began. The Sacramento Kings’ guard separated himself from most in the league by scoring often, and efficiently, in the final few minutes of close games in regulation and overtime. This is why, if the voters agree, he’ll be the winner of the inaugural Jerry West Clutch Player of the Year Award, named after the former Los Angeles Lakers great who was made for those moments.

Fox’s rise has been steady. He displayed potential as a rookie and has since enhanced his skills as a shooter, ball-handler, passer, and leader, particularly now at 25. He also earned his first All-Star title in the 2022-23 season. Given his impressive performance and his reputation as one of the best in his position in the NBA, it wouldn’t be surprising if Fox is selected for one of the All-NBA teams, the honorees of which will be announced this spring.

De'AarHIM clutch stats @swipathefox pic.twitter.com/hZQLAAM2LN

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) April 8, 2023

But, in the clutch? Sacramento’s growth can be traced to its ability to win tight games, something the young team struggled with last season — and actually for the last decade. In 2021-22, the Kings were 17-23 in clutch games. This season, they practically flipped that, going 25-19 in those games. Anyway: Coach Mike Brown designated Fox as the prime candidate for hero ball shortly before the season began, and Fox repaid the gesture by constantly thriving in these moments.

“Brown said, “When I accepted the job, I was unaware of his consistent presence in critical situations.”

Fox led all NBA players in clutch scoring, as his 194 points were 35 more than the next-highest player (DeMar DeRozan). Additionally, Fox did so with supreme confidence and accuracy, shooting 52.9% overall and 86% from the free throw line in the clutch, showing a steady hand when it mattered most.

Hence, Fox’s poise, leadership, and shot-making abilities all contributed to him being recognized as the league’s best clutch player.

“His presence, serenity, and demeanor – or however else you’d like to describe it – has been phenomenal in the final stages of games, notably those with just one possession,” Brown stated. “He exudes a certain confidence during that crucial period in the game and has repeatedly proven his ability to get the job done.”

This award is also deemed worthy for others. Despite Fox’s season-long consistency, several other players bolstered their consideration case through a series of clutch games in the latter part of the season, not just with moments.

Here is our season’s final top five for the Clutch Player Ladder.

(Editor’s note: For Clutch Stats, qualifying players appeared in at least 15 games.)

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1. De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings

Last month’s ranking: No. 1
Clutch stats: 5.0 ppg, 52.9% FGs, 31.8% 3pt

We’ve already stated his case above, and how the Kings all but guaranteed he’d be top-five by constantly giving him the ball whenever the situation grew tight in games. But Fox did his part as well because if he stumbled or proved sloppy, it would’ve impacted the won-loss record. And if you haven’t noticed, the Kings finished pretty well in the standings. With Fox, the Kings had a winning record (22-17) in the clutch, and that was crucial for a franchise that found ways to lose close games over the last decade. Therefore, Fox in a sense was the face of this Sacramento rejuvenation, based on his work when games turned critical. What else needs to be said?

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2. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat

Last month’s ranking: No. 3
Clutch stats: 3.5 ppg, 50.5% FGs, 22.2% 3pt

One reason why “Jimmy Buckets” just finished what was arguably the best season in his career was his clutch ability. He was Miami’s go-to savior late in games, and it’s a shame Butler couldn’t stay healthy for much of the season. Had that been the case, two things could’ve happened: Miami would have had a far better overall record and perhaps avoided the AT&T Play-In Tournament, and Butler would have had a better case for winning this award. Despite that, Butler’s hero ball could earn him much consideration for one of the All-NBA teams. What’s really telling is Miami’s 25-18 record in Butler clutch situations, which gives him an edge on the third-place finisher for this award.

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3. DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls

Last month’s ranking: No. 2
Clutch stats: 4.7 ppg, 47.1% FGs, 27.3% 3pt

No question, DeRozan sparkled in the clutch just as he did in his debut season with Chicago in 2021-22, ranking third in clutch scoring (4.1 ppg). He finished second to Fox in total clutch points this season and had a knack for getting to the free-throw line as his 65 free throw attempts ranked second only to Butler’s 67. The mid-range maestro was arguably more clutch last season, and if this award was launched then, he’d have been the runaway winner. No shame in finishing third on this list, though. And anyway, DeRozan’s reputation for being clutch was only enhanced this season.

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4. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

Last month’s ranking: No. 4
Clutch stats: 4.0 ppg, 51.6% FGs, 37.5% 3pt

Only Fox shot better from the floor among top-10 clutch scorers than Brunson, and nobody was sharper from the 3-point arc among those leaders than the Knicks’ point guard, whose late-game heroics helped the franchise return to the playoffs. By all accounts, his first season in New York was a smashing success and maybe a bit of a surprise because until now, Brunson was best known from his days playing alongside Luka Doncic in Dallas. In any event, Brunson was the leader and late-game player that New York demanded and received.

Y’all already know. JB is that guy. pic.twitter.com/Ip5ARgnmqL

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 3, 2023

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5. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Last month’s ranking: No. 6
Clutch stats: 3.8 ppg, 49.3% FGs, 33.3% 3pt

Who can forget Doncic’s historic 60-point, 20-rebound triple-double and unflappable clutch moments in a December victory against the Knicks? That was easily the finest clutch performance of the season, and maybe a long time. He rallied the Mavs from nine down in the final 33 seconds including a rebound-follow-up to force overtime, then clinched the victory. Yes, we harp on that performance not because it was the only one of the season for Doncic, but because otherwise, the season was a bit disappointing for him and the Mavericks overall.

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The Next Five: 

Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

• (Last month’s ranking: No. 9)

Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

• (Last month’s ranking: No. 5)

Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks

• (Last month’s ranking: No. 8)

Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz

• (Last month’s ranking: No. 7)

Tyler Herro, Miami Heat

• (Last month’s ranking: Not ranked)

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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.

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