The NBA crowned its third-ever Clutch Player of the Year in 2022-23, an honor that’s given to the best “clutch" performer in the league. New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson took him the hardware after putting up 156 clutch points in only 65 games, which ranked 2nd in the NBA.
When you think of clutch players, guys that come to mind should be those who are unafraid to take a potential game-winning shot or have the ball in their hands when things are going down to the wire.
Betting odds have since been released for the 2025-26 NBA Clutch Player of the Year. Below, I’ll provide a look at some of the best bets you can make, as well as a few sleeper choices.
NBA Clutch Player of the Year Odds 2025
These NBA lines are current as of Monday, Oct. 20, at 3 p.m. ET and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Jalen Brunson (+1000)
- Anthony Edwards (+1000)
- Nikola Jokic (+1100)
- Luka Doncic (+1200)
- Stephen Curry (+1700)
- Kevin Durant (+1700)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+1800)
- De’Aaron Fox (+1800)
- Trae Young (+1800)
- DeMar DeRozan (+2000)
All other players have (+2000) odds or longer.
What Is Clutch Scoring?
Clutch scoring isn’t defined simply as a game-winning bucket or a dagger to ice it. A specific set of conditions must be met for baskets to be considered “clutch" points.
According to the NBA, clutch time occurs when there are five or fewer minutes left in a game and the scoring margin is five points or less. So long as a bucket is scored within those parameters, it’ll count toward a player’s clutch points.
With that in mind, the best betting strategy you can take into this race is targeting players who take part in many close games and are the No. 1 option for their respective teams.
Who Will Win NBA Clutch Player of the Year?
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (+1000)
Anthony Edwards is one of the most prolific scorers in the NBA, coming off yet another impressive 2024-25 season, where he averaged a career-high 27.6 points per game.
As the focal point of the Timberwolves’ offensive gameplan, Edwards will have plenty of opportunities to rack up points in the clutch. In fact, Edwards led the league in clutch scoring with 157 points last year, so there’s a strong track record here.
I like the odds at (+1000) here, making Edwards my NBA bet of the day.
NBA Clutch Player of the Year Favorites
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks (+1000)
The reigning Clutch Player of the Year comes in at (+1000) odds to earn the honor again in 2025-26, putting him in a two-way tie of odds-on favorites.
Even with how dominant Brunson was in the clutch last year (156 points in 65 games), I don’t feel comfortable placing a wager on him to repeat as champion.
- See where the Knicks stand in the latest NBA Finals odds.
We always have to remember that this result comes down to the voters, who may opt to give it to someone else, since Brunson won it last year.
NBA Clutch Player of the Year Contenders
Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers (+1200)
Luka Doncic wasn’t even in the top 50 in total clutch points last year, but he’s a viable contender for this award because he’s got a good chance of averaging 30+ points per game.
If Doncic can get to that number, a decent chunk of it would likely come in the clutch. With LeBron James missing some time (and likely given a day off to rest several times this year), Doncic will be forced to carry the load on offense.
This puts Doncic in a strong position to take home this hardware.
NBA Clutch Player of the Year Sleepers
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks (+1800)
Trae Young is my favorite Clutch Player of the Year sleeper because he’s a sharpshooting guard who is the primary option in the Hawks offense.
- See where Young ranks in the NBA assists leader odds.
If Atlanta can exceed expectations, we could see Young in play for this award. Remember, this is a player who put up 24.2 points per game while knocking down 2.9 threes.
In other words, he’s the type of perimeter scorer that you should target for this award.
