Stats Leaders: Who are top clutch scorers so far this season?
Check out the best clutch plays so far, now that we’re a quarter way through the season!
Every Tuesday during the season, we’ll analyze the top performers in a particular statistical category. We’ll use player tracking, play-type and shot-type data to provide a more in-depth look beyond the basic box score.
This week, our attention is on the league’s top scorers in clutch situations – when the score difference is less than five points in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter or in overtime – a list which features three of the league’s top five scorers this season: Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Stephen Curry.
Note: All stats through games played on Monday, Dec. 5. Clutch data for players and teams can be found on NBA.com/Stats.
Top 10 clutch scorers (total clutch points)
| RK | PLAYER | TEAM | PTS | FGM-A (FG%) | 3PM-A (3P%) | FTM-A (FT%) |
| 1 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | OKC | 60 | 16-38 (42.1%) | 3-8 (37.5%) | 25-27 (92.6%) |
| 2 | Luka Doncic | DAL | 53 | 20-40 (50%) | 3-16 (18.8%) | 10-14 (71.4%) |
| 3 | Jalen Brunson | NYK | 52 | 16-33 (48.5%) | 3-7 (42.9%) | 17-19 (89.5%) |
| 4 | Donovan Mitchell | CLE | 51 | 17-38 (44.7%) | 5-16 (31.3%) | 12-13 (92.3%) |
| 5 | De’Aaron Fox | SAC | 50 | 20-32 (62.5%) | 4-7 (57.1%) | 6-6 (100%) |
| 6 | Stephen Curry | GSW | 49 | 15-36 (41.7%) | 6-20 (30%) | 13-15 (86.7%) |
| 7 | Anfernee Simons | POR | 48 | 13-29 (44.8%) | 7-14 (50%) | 15-16 (93.8%) |
| 8 | DeMar DeRozan | CHI | 43 | 14-33 (42.4%) | 0-2 0%) | 15-16 (93.8%) |
| 8 | Jerami Grant | POR | 43 | 10-22 (45.5%) | 5-8 (62.5%) | 18-23 (78.3%) |
| 8 | Jordan Clarkson | UTA | 43 | 16-35 (45.7%) | 7-18 (38.9%) | 4-5 (80%) |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Gilgeous-Alexander is in the midst of an overall breakout season and his play in clutch situations has been no different. His overall scoring is up from 24.5 ppg (16th) last season to 31.3 ppg (3rd) this season, and his clutch scoring ranking has gone from 28th last season (76 points) to No. 1 through the first quarter of this season (60 points).
The biggest key to Gilgeous-Alexander’s ability to deliver in close games is his ability to break down defenses and draw fouls. He leads all players in both free throws made (25) and attempted (27) in clutch time, as free throws account for nearly half of his clutch points.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sinks a decisive 3-pointer with only 1.1 seconds remaining, sealing Oklahoma City’s comeback victory.
Luka Doncic
The league’s leading scorer (33.4 ppg), Doncic ranks No. 2 in clutch scoring with 53 points across 64 minutes of clutch time. Doncic’s clutch scoring has come mostly on two-point shots as he is connecting on 70.8% (17-for-24) of his shots inside the arc, but just 18.8% (3-for-16) from beyond the arc.
In addition to being the second-leading scorer in clutch situations, Doncic has dished more clutch assists (15) than any player in the league so far this season. While Doncic ranks third in usage rate (37.2%) overall, he ranks 16th in clutch usage rate (34.8%).
In high-pressure situations, the usage of most star players typically increases, as they are relied upon to perform when the game’s outcome hangs in the balance. A prime example is Joel Embiid, whose usage jumps from 37.6% overall to a league-leading 46.6% in such clutch scenarios. The situation is much the same for Doncic, who serves as the Mavericks’ offensive catalyst during clutch moments. However, he manages to distribute his scoring with creating opportunities for his teammates by attracting defensive attention.
Luka on his clutch shot and celebration tonight ️ pic.twitter.com/vGwWkE5VBu
— NBA (@NBA) November 16, 2022
Jalen Brunson
Brunson is positioned just below his ex-Mavericks teammate in clutch scoring, having accumulated 52 clutch points in just shy of 50 minutes of clutch play. He has demonstrated high efficiency in clutch situations, with a field goal percentage of 48.5%, a 3-point range percentage of 42.9% (on seven attempts), and a free throw percentage of 89.5% (on 19 attempts). In addition, he has provided five assists and is the sole player in the top 20 clutch scorers who has not committed any turnovers in these circumstances.
Donovan Mitchell
Mitchell’s inaugural season in Cleveland has seen him deliver a much more effective performance in crucial moments than his last season in Utah. Mitchell ended his previous season ranked 24th in clutch scoring with 79 points. However, his shooting percentages were low, with only 33% (30-91) efficiency from the field, a mere 18.8% (6-32) from the 3-point range, and 61.9% (13-21) accuracy from the free throw line.
Mitchell has significantly improved his game this season with his field goal percentage increasing by almost 12 percentage points, taking it to 44.7%. His 3-point shot has also gained a boost of 12.5 percentage points, reaching 31.3%. Above all, his free throw percentage has seen the maximum increase, jumping by over 30 percentage points to 92.3%. He is just one clutch 3-pointer and free throw away from equalling his performance from the last season, and there are still 58 games left for the Cavs to play.
De’Aaron Fox
Fox completes the top five most efficient scorers of the season so far, all of whom are 26 years old or younger. He has accumulated 50 points in 42 clutch minutes over 12 games for the Kings. Fox distinguishes himself from the rest of the top five with his impressive shooting percentages in clutch situations: 62.5% (20-32) from the field, 57.1% (4-7) from beyond the arc, and a perfect 100% (6-for-6) from the free-throw line.
Unlike Doncic, Fox’s clutch usage significantly increases from his overall game mark. He holds the fifth position in clutch usage at 37.4%, and is 26th for the overall game at 27.5%. Fox’s agility and speed allow him to maneuver to his preferred mid-range spots for high-quality shots in clutch situations. With Fox on the court, the Kings have outscored their opponents by 22 points in clutch situations.
In a victory against the Lakers on Nov. 11, De’Aaron Fox proved to be clutch.
Top 10 clutch shooters (minimum 15 clutch attempts, 62 players qualify)
| RK | PLAYER | TEAM | PTS | FG% | FGM | FGA |
| 1 | Jusuf Nurkic | POR | 29 | 73.3 | 11 | 15 |
| 2 | Bradley Beal | WAS | 34 | 68.4 | 13 | 19 |
| 3 | De’Aaron Fox | SAC | 50 | 62.5 | 20 | 32 |
| 4 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | MIL | 26 | 62.5 | 10 | 16 |
| 5 | O.G. Anunoby | TOR | 38 | 57.9 | 11 | 19 |
| 6 | Bam Adebayo | MIA | 28 | 53.3 | 8 | 15 |
| 7 | Marcus Smart | BOS | 20 | 53.3 | 8 | 15 |
| 8 | Joel Embiid | PHI | 37 | 52.9 | 9 | 17 |
| 9 | Kyle Lowry | MIA | 23 | 52.9 | 9 | 17 |
| 10 | Jimmy Butler | MIA | 37 | 51.9 | 14 | 27 |
Stephen Curry
Despite his shooting percentage declining in close games’ final moments, Curry still ranks sixth in clutch scoring. This season, he has achieved a 49.9% field goal percentage and a 43.2% three-point shooting percentage, both his best records since his unanimous Kia NBA MVP award-winning season when he accomplished a 50/40/90 shooting season.
So far this season, Curry has shot just 41.7% (15-36) from the field and 30% (6-20) from 3-point range in 50 minutes across 12 crucial games. If he manages to improve these percentages to match his usual shooting performance, it’s likely we’ll see Curry rising in the rankings and the Warriors improving on their current 5-7 record in clutch games.
The player who has twice won the Kia MVP scored 15 out of his total 40 points in the 4th quarter, sparking a late 17-6 run.
Anfernee Simons & Jerami Grant
Clutch time has often been referred to as “Dame Time” in the Pacific Northwest, but so far this season the Blazers are the only team with two top 10 clutch scorers — and neither is named Damian Lillard. Stepping up in Lillard’s place are Simons (48 points) and Grant (43 points), who have combined to score 91 of Portland’s league-leading 176 clutch points so far this season. The Blazers are also a league-best 5-1 in games decided by three points or less.
Simons and Grant have proven themselves in high-pressure situations, hitting 54.5% of their 3-point shots with a combined 12-22 so far this season. However, their performance drops to 37.9% when shooting from inside the 3-point line, with a combined score of 11-29.
On Nov. 5, Jerami Grant’s buzzer-beating jumper defeated the Suns.
DeMar DeRozan
In the previous season, DeRozan scored 157 clutch points, finishing just behind Embiid who scored 158. He achieved this with remarkable shooting statistics: a 53.5% field goal percentage, 2-4 from the 3-point range, and an 88.7% free throw percentage. Notably, DeRozan’s two clutch 3-pointers were game-winning buzzer-beaters on consecutive nights (New Year’s Eve and Day) for the Bulls.
DeMar DeRozan was Mr.Clutch last season for the @chicagobulls, his pair of game-winners earn him the #️⃣2️⃣ spot on our TOP 50 Clutch Plays of 2021-22!#NBAClutchWeek | @DeMar_DeRozan pic.twitter.com/rAsg4Y9kM7
— NBA (@NBA) August 27, 2022
So far this season, the Bulls are a league-worst 2-9 (18.2%) in clutch games after finishing fourth last season at 25-16 (61.0%). DeRozan has yet to hit a clutch 3-pointer this season, but does have 14 two-point shots and 15 free throws to his credit.
Jordan Clarkson
Last season, Clarkson posted an 11.4% usage rate in clutch situations as those possessions were usually dominated by All-Star Donovan Mitchell. With the departures of Mitchell, fellow All-Star Rudy Gobert and fellow starters Royce O’Neale and Bojan Bodganovic, there are more clutch situations for Clarkson to work with as he leads the team in clutch usage at 29.7%. Those extra clutch opportunities have translated into Jazz points as Clarkson rounds out the top 10 with 43 clutch points on 45.7% shooting from the field.
