MVP isn't the only award Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is running away with

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is well on his way to winning a second consecutive NBA MVP award. There's stiff competition from the likes of Jaylen Brown, Cade Cunningham, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Victor Wembanyama, but the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar is making a case that's tough to argue against.

Whether or not Gilgeous-Alexander ultimately wins MVP, there's one award that he appears to have in the bag: Clutch Player of the Year.

Gilgeous-Alexander has been an absolute menace in late-game situations, destroying teams who even think they can contain him. That's been on full display in recent days, as the Thunder won four straight games by seven points or less—including three by a single possession.

Gilgeous-Alexander took center stage during each, leading the Thunder to a 103-100 win over the New York Knicks, a 104-102 defeat of the Boston Celtics, and a 129-126 victory against the Denver Nuggets that ended with the superstar hitting a game-winner.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored seven fourth-quarter point against the Knicks, 10 against the Nuggets, and 14 against the Celtics. He didn't attempt a single free throw during the final frame against Boston, either, despite claims of free throw merchant status.

Each of those performances reflected a fundamental truth that rival teams and players have been forced to accept: No one is on Gilgeous-Alexander's level in the clutch in 2025-26.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is running away with Clutch Player of the Year

Gilgeous-Alexander currently ranks fourth in the NBA in points per fourth quarter at 7.5. He's doing so while shooting at an obscenely efficient clip of .546/.405/.894. Considering he's not No. 1, however, there's reason to question if he should win Clutch Player of the Year.

What gives Gilgeous-Alexander such a clear edge is the context, which includes the fact that he's playing just 7.0 fourth quarter minutes per game—while none of the players ahead of him are lower than 8.2.

Extrapolate the data and Gilgeous-Alexander ranks No. 1 in the NBA in points per fourth quarter on a per-36-minute basis—the same way he ranks No. 1 in points per 36 minutes overall. That alone puts his name in the discussion for Clutch Player of the Year.

What begins to create distance, however, is the fact that Gilgeous-Alexander is No. 1 in the NBA in clutch points per game at 6.4—a healthy 0.7 ahead of the No. 2 player, Anthony Edwards.

Gilgeous-Alexander also ranks No. 1 in the Association in +/- in clutch situations. He's even tied for No. 1 in assists in said environments. In almost every possible way to measure his success, he's setting the pace for the rest of the NBA when close games are being decided.

Throw in the signature moment of a game-winner against a fellow MVP candidate in Jokic, and even the narrative works in his favor. Gilgeous-Alexander should win Clutch Player of the Year.