Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been named the 2025-26 NBA Clutch Player of the Year, capping another standout regular season with recognition as the league’s most reliable late-game performer. The award, also known as the Jerry West Trophy, honours the player judged to have delivered most consistently in the closing moments of tight contests. Gilgeous-Alexander became the fourth winner of the award since its introduction, joining De’Aaron Fox, Stephen Curry and Jalen Brunson.
The Thunder guard earned the honour after leading the NBA in clutch scoring with 175 total points and averaging 6.5 points per game in clutch situations, defined by the league as the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the score is within five points. He also shot 51.5 percent from the field in those moments, underlining the efficiency that made him the league’s most feared closer.
Gilgeous-Alexander beat out fellow finalists Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets. The NBA’s official awards tracker listed him as the winner on April 22, after he was named a finalist earlier in the week.
The latest honour adds to a season in which Gilgeous-Alexander has remained central to Oklahoma City’s rise, reinforcing his status not only as one of the NBA’s elite scorers, but as a player most trusted when the pressure is highest.
