Hoops Nightly
Our own play-by-play · last 5 minutes, score within 5 · 613 games

The Clutch Map

What changes under pressure

Shooting gets worse: effective field goal percentage drops from 54.5% to 50.0% in the last five minutes of close games. Mid-range jumpers go from 10% to 12% of all shots. The most clutch points since 2025-26: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 185.

Most clutch points · since 2025-26
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
185clutch pointsShai Gilgeous-Alexander Thunder
55/111field goals14/40threes61/71free throws

What counts as clutch

  1. 5:00The last five minutes of the fourth quarter, and all of overtime.
  2. ±5The score within five points before the play. The standard definition, applied to every play we store.
  3. 40+Players need 40 clutch shots to be ranked. Two seasons pooled, because clutch time is rare.

The clutch shot map

Every clutch shot since the start of 2025-26. Bigger hexagons, more shots. Red: shooters did better than from the same zone the rest of the game. Blue: worse.

39 clutch shots · +4 pts vs the rest of the game68 clutch shots · +0 pts vs the rest of the game298 clutch shots · −8 pts vs the rest of the game40 clutch shots · −4 pts vs the rest of the game136 clutch shots · −1 pts vs the rest of the game14 clutch shots · +3 pts vs the rest of the game25 clutch shots · +2 pts vs the rest of the game89 clutch shots · −0 pts vs the rest of the game60 clutch shots · +3 pts vs the rest of the game22 clutch shots · +6 pts vs the rest of the game107 clutch shots · −9 pts vs the rest of the game117 clutch shots · −6 pts vs the rest of the game1041 clutch shots · +4 pts vs the rest of the game281 clutch shots · −5 pts vs the rest of the game36 clutch shots · +8 pts vs the rest of the game19 clutch shots · +3 pts vs the rest of the game81 clutch shots · −0 pts vs the rest of the game92 clutch shots · +3 pts vs the rest of the game309 clutch shots · −11 pts vs the rest of the game193 clutch shots · −5 pts vs the rest of the game19 clutch shots · +5 pts vs the rest of the game274 clutch shots · −5 pts vs the rest of the game35 clutch shots · −8 pts vs the rest of the game16 clutch shots · −8 pts vs the rest of the game30 clutch shots · −3 pts vs the rest of the game117 clutch shots · +1 pts vs the rest of the game35 clutch shots · −1 pts vs the rest of the game23 clutch shots · −6 pts vs the rest of the game29 clutch shots · −2 pts vs the rest of the game58 clutch shots · −9 pts vs the rest of the game12 clutch shots · +3 pts vs the rest of the game18 clutch shots · +1 pts vs the rest of the game17 clutch shots · −8 pts vs the rest of the game16 clutch shots · −4 pts vs the rest of the game47 clutch shots · +3 pts vs the rest of the game78 clutch shots · −4 pts vs the rest of the game16 clutch shots · +1 pts vs the rest of the game51 clutch shots · −1 pts vs the rest of the game87 clutch shots · −6 pts vs the rest of the game170 clutch shots · +1 pts vs the rest of the game128 clutch shots · −8 pts vs the rest of the game60 clutch shots · −13 pts vs the rest of the game81 clutch shots · +2 pts vs the rest of the game73 clutch shots · −4 pts vs the rest of the game47 clutch shots · −3 pts vs the rest of the game85 clutch shots · −1 pts vs the rest of the game25 clutch shots · −9 pts vs the rest of the game39 clutch shots · −5 pts vs the rest of the game31 clutch shots · +1 pts vs the rest of the game38 clutch shots · +0 pts vs the rest of the game30 clutch shots · −1 pts vs the rest of the game64 clutch shots · −6 pts vs the rest of the game53 clutch shots · +3 pts vs the rest of the game40 clutch shots · −0 pts vs the rest of the game46 clutch shots · −2 pts vs the rest of the game14 clutch shots · −7 pts vs the rest of the game87 clutch shots · +6 pts vs the rest of the game42 clutch shots · −1 pts vs the rest of the game12 clutch shots · −9 pts vs the rest of the game17 clutch shots · +5 pts vs the rest of the game21 clutch shots · −5 pts vs the rest of the game19 clutch shots · −13 pts vs the rest of the game44 clutch shots · −5 pts vs the rest of the game9 clutch shots · −3 pts vs the rest of the game103 clutch shots · −2 pts vs the rest of the game30 clutch shots · −3 pts vs the rest of the game18 clutch shots · +1 pts vs the rest of the game28 clutch shots · +0 pts vs the rest of the game77 clutch shots · +3 pts vs the rest of the game49 clutch shots · −3 pts vs the rest of the game53 clutch shots · −5 pts vs the rest of the game17 clutch shots · −0 pts vs the rest of the game59 clutch shots · −1 pts vs the rest of the game30 clutch shots · −1 pts vs the rest of the game40 clutch shots · −6 pts vs the rest of the game10 clutch shots · +5 pts vs the rest of the game15 clutch shots · +7 pts vs the rest of the game20 clutch shots · +2 pts vs the rest of the game6 clutch shots · −2 pts vs the rest of the game45 clutch shots · −1 pts vs the rest of the game9 clutch shots · +7 pts vs the rest of the game28 clutch shots · −7 pts vs the rest of the game14 clutch shots · +2 pts vs the rest of the game51 clutch shots · −3 pts vs the rest of the game54 clutch shots · +5 pts vs the rest of the game63 clutch shots · +2 pts vs the rest of the game10 clutch shots · −0 pts vs the rest of the game74 clutch shots · −3 pts vs the rest of the game25 clutch shots · −11 pts vs the rest of the game44 clutch shots · −9 pts vs the rest of the game85 clutch shots · −3 pts vs the rest of the game19 clutch shots · −7 pts vs the rest of the game24 clutch shots · +6 pts vs the rest of the game16 clutch shots · −9 pts vs the rest of the game21 clutch shots · −6 pts vs the rest of the game7 clutch shots · −3 pts vs the rest of the game40 clutch shots · +3 pts vs the rest of the game11 clutch shots · −4 pts vs the rest of the game22 clutch shots · +4 pts vs the rest of the game40 clutch shots · +7 pts vs the rest of the game25 clutch shots · +13 pts vs the rest of the game8 clutch shots · −4 pts vs the rest of the game73 clutch shots · −10 pts vs the rest of the game14 clutch shots · +3 pts vs the rest of the game37 clutch shots · +4 pts vs the rest of the game26 clutch shots · +3 pts vs the rest of the game28 clutch shots · −2 pts vs the rest of the game10 clutch shots · −3 pts vs the rest of the game28 clutch shots · −5 pts vs the rest of the game21 clutch shots · −2 pts vs the rest of the game16 clutch shots · +2 pts vs the rest of the game21 clutch shots · −1 pts vs the rest of the game17 clutch shots · −8 pts vs the rest of the game9 clutch shots · −2 pts vs the rest of the game8 clutch shots · −3 pts vs the rest of the game15 clutch shots · −1 pts vs the rest of the game18 clutch shots · −3 pts vs the rest of the game17 clutch shots · +9 pts vs the rest of the game20 clutch shots · +7 pts vs the rest of the game11 clutch shots · +0 pts vs the rest of the game35 clutch shots · −1 pts vs the rest of the game10 clutch shots · −9 pts vs the rest of the game63 clutch shots · −4 pts vs the rest of the game10 clutch shots · −4 pts vs the rest of the game16 clutch shots · −6 pts vs the rest of the game51 clutch shots · +0 pts vs the rest of the game28 clutch shots · −1 pts vs the rest of the game6 clutch shots · +2 pts vs the rest of the game12 clutch shots · −5 pts vs the rest of the game14 clutch shots · −2 pts vs the rest of the game6 clutch shots · +5 pts vs the rest of the game18 clutch shots · +6 pts vs the rest of the game10 clutch shots · −12 pts vs the rest of the game6 clutch shots · −2 pts vs the rest of the game16 clutch shots · −6 pts vs the rest of the game13 clutch shots · −6 pts vs the rest of the game15 clutch shots · −3 pts vs the rest of the game37 clutch shots · −7 pts vs the rest of the game12 clutch shots · +0 pts vs the rest of the game8 clutch shots · −5 pts vs the rest of the game16 clutch shots · +3 pts vs the rest of the game16 clutch shots · +1 pts vs the rest of the game6 clutch shots · −4 pts vs the rest of the game7 clutch shots · −3 pts vs the rest of the game6 clutch shots · −0 pts vs the rest of the game6 clutch shots · +2 pts vs the rest of the game26 clutch shots · −0 pts vs the rest of the game9 clutch shots · −8 pts vs the rest of the game6 clutch shots · +2 pts vs the rest of the game8 clutch shots · +5 pts vs the rest of the game16 clutch shots · −2 pts vs the rest of the game9 clutch shots · +4 pts vs the rest of the game12 clutch shots · −3 pts vs the rest of the game7 clutch shots · −5 pts vs the rest of the game
worsesamebetter7,908 shots · hexagons with 6+ shots, small samples pulled toward average

The shot diet

ZoneShare of shotsFG%
At the rim28% → 27%67% → 64%
Paint20% → 21%45% → 43%
Mid-range10% → 12%42% → 39%
Corner 311% → 10%38% → 36%
Above-the-break 331% → 30%35% → 30%

rest of the game clutch

41%of clutch shots are threes (vs 42%)78%clutch free throws made55%of clutch baskets assisted

The closers

Most clutch points since the start of 2025-26. The bar compares effective field goal percentage in the clutch (colour) with the rest of the game (grey). VJ Edgecombe gets better the most; Jaren Jackson Jr. drops the most.

  1. 1Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderShai Gilgeous-Alexander OKC · 55/111 FG · 14/40 3P · 61/71 FT · 7 TO58.7% → 55.9%185pts
  2. 2Tyrese MaxeyTyrese Maxey PHI · 51/109 FG · 11/35 3P · 59/68 FT · 11 TO53.8% → 51.8%172pts
  3. 3Jamal MurrayJamal Murray DEN · 48/96 FG · 15/36 3P · 57/69 FT · 17 TO57.7% → 57.8%168pts
  4. 4Nikola JokicNikola Jokic DEN · 47/96 FG · 6/29 3P · 63/76 FT · 8 TO61.1% → 52.1%163pts
  5. 5Kevin DurantKevin Durant HOU · 50/100 FG · 14/36 3P · 46/55 FT · 22 TO58.5% → 57.0%160pts
  6. 6Anthony EdwardsAnthony Edwards MIN · 54/96 FG · 16/41 3P · 25/30 FT · 6 TO56.6% → 64.6%149pts
  7. 7Jalen BrunsonJalen Brunson NYK · 45/95 FG · 15/34 3P · 26/37 FT · 11 TO52.6% → 55.3%131pts
  8. 8Cade CunninghamCade Cunningham DET · 41/81 FG · 3/18 3P · 42/53 FT · 10 TO51.4% → 52.5%127pts
  9. 9James HardenJames Harden LAC · 30/66 FG · 11/33 3P · 54/59 FT · 12 TO52.2% → 53.8%125pts
  10. 10Deni AvdijaDeni Avdija POR · 34/65 FG · 7/16 3P · 41/53 FT · 16 TO51.8% → 57.7%116pts
  11. 11Cooper FlaggCooper Flagg DAL · 39/78 FG · 4/12 3P · 34/41 FT · 12 TO50.2% → 52.6%116pts
  12. 12Devin BookerDevin Booker PHX · 32/70 FG · 9/29 3P · 39/45 FT · 13 TO51.0% → 52.1%112pts
  13. 13Jalen JohnsonJalen Johnson ATL · 37/71 FG · 7/20 3P · 30/37 FT · 14 TO52.9% → 57.0%111pts
  14. 14Keyonte GeorgeKeyonte George UTA · 31/78 FG · 11/39 3P · 38/43 FT · 14 TO53.4% → 46.8%111pts
  15. 15Desmond BaneDesmond Bane ORL · 32/86 FG · 8/32 3P · 35/40 FT · 10 TO55.9% → 41.9%107pts
  16. 16Nickeil Alexander-WalkerNickeil Alexander-Walker ATL · 29/74 FG · 13/41 3P · 32/37 FT · 5 TO56.3% → 48.0%103pts

Who takes the shot

Share of each team's clutch shots by its top three shooters, full 2025-26 season. Most concentrated first.

  1. Thunder260 shotsShai Gilgeous-AlexanderGilgeous-Alexander 39%
  2. Timberwolves217 shotsAnthony EdwardsEdwards 39%Julius RandleRandle 15%Jaden McDanielsMcDaniels 13%
  3. Knicks215 shotsJalen BrunsonBrunson 38%OG AnunobyAnunoby 12%
  4. Celtics179 shotsJaylen BrownBrown 37%Derrick WhiteWhite 23%Payton PritchardPritchard 14%
  5. 76ers288 shotsTyrese MaxeyMaxey 34%VJ EdgecombeEdgecombe 16%Joel EmbiidEmbiid 14%
  6. Cavaliers234 shotsDonovan MitchellMitchell 30%
  7. Raptors224 shotsBrandon IngramIngram 29%Immanuel QuickleyQuickley 18%Scottie BarnesBarnes 15%
  8. Pacers195 shotsPascal SiakamSiakam 29%Andrew NembhardNembhard 16%
  9. Nuggets326 shotsNikola JokicJokic 29%Jamal MurrayMurray 28%
  10. Hawks225 shotsJalen JohnsonJohnson 28%Nickeil Alexander-WalkerAlexander-Walker 25%Dyson DanielsDaniels 13%
  11. Trail Blazers228 shotsDeni AvdijaAvdija 27%Jerami GrantGrant 15%Shaedon SharpeSharpe 13%
  12. Spurs237 shotsDe'Aaron FoxFox 27%Victor WembanyamaWembanyama 22%
  13. Pistons293 shotsCade CunninghamCunningham 27%23Harris 16%
  14. Magic317 shotsDesmond BaneBane 26%Paolo BancheroBanchero 25%
  15. Lakers170 shotsLuka DoncicDoncic 26%LeBron JamesJames 19%Austin ReavesReaves 15%
  16. Rockets339 shotsKevin DurantDurant 26%Alperen SengunSengun 24%Amen ThompsonThompson 15%
  17. Jazz219 shotsKeyonte GeorgeGeorge 26%23Markkanen 17%
  18. Hornets190 shotsMiles BridgesBridges 25%Kon KnueppelKnueppel 23%LaMelo BallBall 18%
  19. Suns258 shotsDevin BookerBooker 24%Grayson AllenAllen 16%Dillon BrooksBrooks 14%
  20. Kings208 shots10DeRozan 23%
  21. Clippers192 shotsJames HardenHarden 23%Kawhi LeonardLeonard 19%
  22. Mavericks284 shotsCooper FlaggFlagg 23%
  23. Warriors253 shotsStephen CurryCurry 22%
  24. Bucks227 shots13Rollins 22%Giannis AntetokounmpoAntetokounmpo 17%
  25. Nets189 shotsMichael Porter Jr.Porter 21%Nolan TraoreTraore 13%
  26. Heat173 shotsBam AdebayoAdebayo 21%Norman PowellPowell 18%Andrew WigginsWiggins 14%
  27. Pelicans246 shotsZion WilliamsonWilliamson 21%25Murphy 19%Saddiq BeyBey 18%
  28. Wizards169 shotsCJ McCollumMcCollum 20%Kyshawn GeorgeGeorge 17%
  29. Bulls279 shotsNikola VucevicVucevic 18%Josh GiddeyGiddey 15%Matas BuzelisBuzelis 14%
  30. Grizzlies237 shots23Coward 16%Jaren Jackson Jr.Jackson 16%Jaylen WellsWells 14%

With the game on the line

Shots in the last 24 seconds that could tie the game or put the team ahead. Across the league, 151 of 500 went in (30%). Percentages from 10 attempts.

  1. Alperen SengunAlperen Sengun HOU5/1338%
  2. Paolo BancheroPaolo Banchero ORL3/1323%
  3. Kevin DurantKevin Durant HOU3/1225%
  4. Nikola JokicNikola Jokic DEN2/1217%
  5. Keyonte GeorgeKeyonte George UTA3/1127%
  6. Tyrese MaxeyTyrese Maxey PHI3/1030%
  7. Anthony EdwardsAnthony Edwards MIN3/9
  8. James HardenJames Harden LAC1/8
  9. Donovan MitchellDonovan Mitchell CLE1/8
  10. Giannis AntetokounmpoGiannis Antetokounmpo MIL2/7
  11. Pascal SiakamPascal Siakam IND4/6
  12. Nikola VucevicNikola Vucevic CHI3/6
Numbers to quoteFree to cite with a link · as of Mon, Nov 9
  1. 54.5% → 50.0%

    NBA effective field goal percentage falls from 54.5% to 50.0% in the clutch (last five minutes, score within five), on 7,908 clutch shots since the start of 2025-26 (Hoops Nightly play-by-play).

  2. 185

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored the most clutch points in the NBA since the start of 2025-26: 185, on 55 of 111 shooting.

  3. 39%

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took 101 of the Thunder' 260 clutch shots in 2025-26 (39%), the biggest share of any player on any team, just ahead of Anthony Edwards (38.7%).

57 rows · 2026-11-09
Writing about this? Free to reuse, also commercially, with a credit. CC BY 4.0 Data licenseSource: Hoops Nightly, The Clutch Map (as of Mon, Nov 9): https://hoopsnightly.com/clutch (CC BY 4.0)

More from our own data

What to keep in mind

  • Regular season only, 613 games with clutch time since the start of 2025-26. Last season's games are still being added from the play-by-play.
  • A player's team is the one he took most of his clutch shots for. Who-takes-the-shot shares count only shots for that team.
  • Effective field goal percentage counts a made three as one and a half baskets.

Full method · Comebacks · The Real Five