NBA
Steph Curry clinches the NBA Clutch Award, what is a ‘clutch’ player
Despite the Warriors being eliminated from the Playoffs, the 36-year-old was deemed to be the most decisive player of the season.
Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry was named NBA Clutch Player of the Year for the 2023/24 season.
The new award was Introduced last year, when Sacramento Kings’ De’Aaron Fox took home the Jerry West Trophy, the award honors the player “who best comes through for his teammates in the clutch,” according to the NBA.
Curry eclipsed Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan for the honor receiving 45 first-place votes (five points each), 18 second-place votes (three points) and 19 third-place votes (one point) for a total of 298 total points from a media voting panel. DeRozan finished with 272 points, including 34 first-place votes.
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came in third with 160 points, including 11 first-place votes with finalists for each annual award based on voting results from a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.
Curry led the league with 189 points in “clutch situations,” defined by the league as possessions in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the margin is five points or fewer. Curry shot 49.6 percent overall, 45.7 percent from 3-point range and 95.1 percent from the free-throw line in clutch situations.
The future Hall of Famer and two-time league MVP just completed his 15th NBA season having averaged 26.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game while shooting 40.8 percent from deep. But the Warriors did not manage to advance out of the Western Conference play-in round falling in the Play-in tournament.
What is ‘clutch’ play?
A ‘clutch’ player is one in any sport who thrives under pressure and can deliver the final pass, basket, goal despite adversity, with a cool head being a vital ingredient in the ‘clutch’ player’s make-up.
In basketball, “clutch situations,” are defined by the NBA as key points in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the margin is five points or fewer. Curry shot 49.6 percent overall, 45.7 percent from 3-point range and 95.1 percent from the free-throw line in clutch situations.