A clutch performer in the NBA is someone who, at the most crucial moments of a game, can create a brand-new opening and turn things around. Their confidence and coolness under pressure set them apart, making them potential game-winners in the nick of time in the fourth quarter or in overtime.
It’s undeniable that certain players perform at an even higher level when the stakes are really high. If your team needs a game-winning basket or a lead in the final 60 seconds, these top 10 players are who you want taking the shot.
#10. Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki’s dogged determination in the final minutes of the game was truly impressive. Over the course of his 21-season long NBA career, Nowitzki’s skill under intense duress was apparent, as seen by his near 43% success percentage across 159 tries.
As Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavs to multiple postseason campaigns, he averaged 25.3 pts and 10.0 rebs per game which cemented his legacy as a man for the big occasions.
Nowitzki’s effect extends well beyond the numbers and is highlighted by his deadly fadeaway jumper. A feeling of suspense grew among supporters of all teams as time wound down and the ball made its way into his hands. The success of the shot seemed certain after seeing Nowitzki fading out with his back to the hoop.
This unfailing faith in Dirk Nowitzki’s capacity to deliver is a reflection of the esteem in which he is held as a result of his excellent play in the nick of time. As one of the best players with the longest NBA careers, Nowitzki’s reputation of being able to deliver when it mattered the most made him the star every team wanted on their roster.
#9. Tracy McGrady
A lack of NBA postseason series victories for Tracy McGrady may cause some to question his place among clutch legends, but his 13-point performance in 33 seconds to seal a one-point victory on December 9, 2004 over the San Antonio Spurs remains one of the most iconic clutch performances from an individual player.
With barely 45 seconds left and the Spurs leading by double digits, McGrady confounded expectations by making four three-point shots and getting a foul on one of them. His remarkable performance was a major factor in the Rockets’ historic comeback victory.
His great playoff efficiency with the average of 22.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game is evidence of his clutch skills. Notably, McGrady also cemented his legend with a game-winning jumper that put the Rockets up 2-0 in their 2005 first-round playoff series, 2.2 seconds before the buzzer.
#8. Ray Allen
Throughout his career, Ray Allen has been on contending teams that he has helped take to the playoffs on several occasions. His three-pointer against the Bulls in Game 7 of the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals is one of the most memorable examples of his many game-winning shots. Notably, he scored the game-winning basket in Game 2, tied the score with an overtime three-pointer in Game 4, and forced Game 6 into triple OT with an unbelievable fadeaway.
In the clutch, Allen’s skills were so unmatched that even Reggie Miller acknowledged them. Miller stated openly that he would trust Allen with a game-winning shot if it came down to the wire.
Allen’s decisive skill was his quick shooting action, which he used to great effect in high-pressure situations. Ray Allen averaged 16.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in the playoffs in his career.
#7. Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving received the fourth-most votes out of all active NBA players in 2018 to take the game-winning shot. After three years and a position switch to shooting guard, Irving is still relied on whenever the stakes are highest. His stunning shot in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, which gave the Cleveland Cavaliers the championship, will live on in basketball lore forever.
KAI’s playoffs average of 23.3 points, 4.8 assists and 3.7 rebounds is a reflection of his clutch performances. As one of the best ball-handlers in NBA history, Irving knows when to make the decisive moves.
Kyrie is a multi-talented player who can do both, take the game winning shot himself, while also having a great vision to set up an open teammate to take that shot. The Mavs star is a leader on the team as he makes the plays and runs the ball.
#6. Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson, the magician, has reached the NBA Finals nine times and won the Championship a staggering five times for the Showtime Era Lakers. His clutch performances in big games saw him earn the NBA Finals MVP in 1980, 1982, and 1987. His debut season was 1979-80, making him the first athlete to win the award in his first season.
During the 1980 NBA Finals, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Lakers’ All-Star center and reason they led 3-2 after Game 5, was out for Game 6 with a catastrophic ankle injury. Head Coach Paul Westhead risked starting Johnson at center despite his 6’9″ point guard background which proved to be a success.
Johnson again showcased his clutch shooting in the 1987 NBA Finals against the Celtics. He scored a one-point win over Kevin McHale with an unbelievable hook jumper in the waning seconds of Game 4. Johnson’s Finals MVP effort of 26.2 points, 13.1 assists, and 8.0 rebounds ended with this jumper, which gave the Lakers the series win. Magic Johnson averaged 19.5 points, 12.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds in the playoffs in his career.
#5. Steph Curry
Stephen Curry will remain one of the best 10 clutch performers in NBA history across all parameters. His postseason stat line of 27.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game is beyond impressive in the modern NBA.
Curry’s legacy is set in stone by his unmatched record for three-pointers made and the fact that he is one of just forty players in NBA history to have a postseason three-point success percentage of 40% or better. Even today, Curry is arguably the best three-point shooter in the league.
Andre Iguodala’s scoring brilliance and amazing defense against LeBron and Co. stole the show in 2015, despite Curry’s chances of winning the Finals MVP. After that, Kevin Durant’s breakout years in 2017 and 2018 during the Warriors’ dynastic run altered the MVP honors.
But he would be crowned the Finals MVP in 2022 as the Dubs lifted their fourth championship in less than a decade. In spite of everything else going on, one thing always stood out: Curry’s tremendous play. As the team’s beating heart, he always stands up to the occasion and is still relied on to take the game-winning shot.
#4. LeBron James
The late-game scrutiny that LeBron James endures is unmatched in the NBA. With the ball frequently in his hands during crucial situations, he shot 231 times in the final 60 seconds of games entering the 2019-2020 season, with 90 of those efforts resulting in a basket that tied the game or gave his side the lead. These stats disprove the detractors’ claims that he is incapable of winning the game in the last minutes.
LeBron James has taken more game-winning shots in the final seven seconds (eight) than any player in NBA history, including Michael Jordan (seven). His reputation as a clutch performer is bolstered by the fact that he formerly held the record for most buzzer-beaters with five. Notably, he’s the first player in NBA Finals history to average a triple-double, testament of his all-round abilities to perform in big games.
LeBron has proven time and time again that he can perform under pressure, most notably against the Boston Celtics’ Big 3 and the Oklahoma City Thunder. He played a crucial role in stopping the Toronto Raptors in the playoffs, who were led by Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.
His legendary NBA finals block on Warriors star Andre Iguodala is forever ingrained in the minds of Cavaliers fans. Regardless of one’s biases, LeBron’s excellence is undeniable and deserving of praise. King James has averaged 28.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.2 assists in the playoffs in his NBA career.
#3. Larry Bird
Larry Bird will forever be remembered as one of the NBA’s most reliable clutch players. He has a record-breaking four buzzer-beating shots, all of which he made with the Celtics down by two points or less.
Only Bird has had multiple 45-pointt performances, each of which was capped with a game-winning shot in the last seconds. Back in January 1985, he accomplished something that has never been done before: he won three games in a row by beating the buzzer.
Playoffs career averages for the legendary Larry Bird were 23.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game while amassing one of the most triple doubles postseason history. It is impossible to deny Bird’s clutch shooting prowess from the 1984 to 1986 season, when he won three consecutive MVP awards.
“Larry Legend” was at his best in dramatic NBA Game 7 scenarios. He led his side to win in six series-deciding games, averaging 27.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game on those occasions. In the 1980s, Bird’s name was practically associated with clutch shooting, as he routinely inspired faith in his audience that the next shot he took would go in.
#2. Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan’s legacy will live on forever as the NBA Finals MVP and winner of six championships. Among his many milestones is the all-time mark most points scored in a playoff game (63), and he is also the only player in postseason history with eight separate 50-point performances.
Jordan’s name has become inexhaustibly associated with game-winning plays. Proof of his unparalleled clutch performances are moments like his series-clinching buzzer beater over Craig Ehlo, his legendary 63-point dominance over the Celtics, the memorable flu game, the renowned up and under move, the triumphant 1996 comeback Championship, and his farewell cross-up of Byron Russell.
If the NBA were to put together a highlight clip of all-time playoff excellence, it would likely consist entirely of Michael Jordan’s performances. Jordan’s NBA postseason career stats of 33.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game solidify his place in history as one of the game’s greatest clutch performers.
#1. Kobe Bryant
Kobe has been the model of a modern-day “go-to guy” in the clutch. Kobe Bryant’s greatness in clutch moments stems from his unmatched skill set and relentless playing style. As an excellent shooting guard, he possessed an arsenal of offensive moves, making him a scoring threat from any position on the court.
Bryant’s clutch performance in the playoffs reflected in his impressive averages of 25.6 points, 4.7 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game. But what really separates him from the rest is his mamba mentality in winning, especially when it matters the most. In crucial moments, Bryant’s killer instinct and confidence shone through. His ability to create and sink tough shots under pressure set him apart while his footwork and mid-range game made him deadly in late-game situations.
With the series tied 1-1 in the 2000 NBA Finals Game 4 against the Indiana Pacers, Kobe’s late-game heroics including a crucial jumper, secured the iconic win for the Lakers. In the 2006 playoffs, he dropped 50 points against the Suns in a must-win game, turning up just when his team needed the Mamba. Kobe’s three-pointers that won division titles, postseason buzzer beaters, and game-winning 15-point comebacks in Game 7s are now parts of NBA lore. Kobe Bryant has certainly gone down as the best clutch player in NBA history.
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