Ranking the NBA's best clutch players

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Chris Paul being defended by Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)

Danny Howard

February 19th, 2020

When the clock is winding down and the game is on the line, these are the players who specialize in snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. From sharpshooters to stone-cold closers, BetAmerica takes a look at the five most clutch players in the NBA.

1. Chris Paul (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Paul is leading the pack in OKC. He is the team's best player and shows he can still bury the dagger late in games. It's a quality that is rubbing off on the younger players of the Thunder, as they have become one of the best clutch teams in the NBA.

CHRIS. PAUL. IS. CLUTCH. pic.twitter.com/p2J2XLx99B
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 1, 2020

2. Bojan Bogdanovic (Utah Jazz)

Bogdanovic has put the Jazz on his back, with his strong performances in the clutch, particularly with an incredible three-pointer at the buzzer to down the Rockets earlier in the month. He’s been making shots like that all season.

The Jazz have won 68% of games in clutch situations, second to Milwaukee, and that is largely because of the monstrous play from Bogdanovic.

3. Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)

The Joker is just as dangerous when it comes to clutch time as anyone in the league. Often commanding double teams and complex schemes to slow him down, Jokic has been able to stay cool under fire.

Nikola Jokic is the MOST clutch player in the NBA. Need proof?
⬇️⬇️ Check out this video⬇️⬇️ made by our very own @B_Skip1717 pic.twitter.com/1hSNxMP08k
— Denver Stiffs (@denverstiffs) January 9, 2020

4. DeMar DeRozan (San Antonio Spurs)

DeRozan continues to shine, even as the Spurs' woes continue. He often gets it done in the clutch as San Antonio’s premier closer, with a 47% field goal percentage. Even though his play is slowing down, the 34-year old is tied for sixth in the league in clutch stats.

5. Tobias Harris (Philadelphia 76ers)

Though the 76ers are experiencing a bit of an identity crisis, Tobias Harris has emerged as the team’s best closer. With his speed, hustle, and grit, he’s just as much as a threat as Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons in tight games.

Harris is agile enough to find his shot, even as the clock is winding down, and has made 46% of his three pointers. Taking a role from Jimmy Butler isn’t easy, but Harris has filled the void.