Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry was announced Sunday as a finalist for the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year Award, joining Chicago Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The award, inaugurated before last season, honors the NBA player who “best comes through for his teammates in the clutch.”
Clutch time, per the NBA’s definition, is when the final five minutes are played with the score within a five-point margin. Curry led the NBA in clutch scoring, totaling 189 points in 142.9 such minutes while shooting 49.6% from the field and 45.7% from 3-point range.
Awards are voted on by a panel of NBA broadcasters and journalists, honoring achievement for the regular season. Finalists were also announced Sunday for league MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player and Coach of the Year.
MVP: Luka Dončić (Dallas Mavericks), Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets).
Defensive Player of the Year: Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves), Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs).
Rookie of the Year: Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder), Brandon Miller (Charlotte Hornets), Wembanyama.
Sixth Man of the Year: Malik Monk (Sacramento Kings), Bobby Portis Jr. (Milwaukee Bucks), Naz Reid (Minnesota Timberwolves).
Most Improved Player: Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers), Alperen Şengün (Houston Rockets), Coby White (Chicago Bulls).
Coach of the Year: Mark Daigneault (Oklahoma City Thunder), Chris Finch (Minnesota Timberwolves), Jamahl Mosley (Orlando Magic).
