Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just made winning look routine, and the NBA officially agrees. Oklahoma City’s superstar guard has been the story of the 2025–26 season from day one. Now, with the MVP announcement still ahead, he has already added another major trophy to his collection.
The award solidifies SGA’s position as one of the most well-rounded players in the game today. It’s more than just another achievement; it highlights his ability to perform under pressure and showcases his true character when the stakes are at their highest, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Keep reading to see exactly why he is building one of the most dominant award seasons in recent NBA memory.
Clutch Player of the Year is official
The NBA announced on April 21, 2026, that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had won the 2025–26 Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year award. The announcement aired on NBC Sports, and SGA became just the fourth player in the award’s short history to take home the Jerry West Trophy.
The vote was nearly unanimous. SGA collected 96 of a possible 100 first-place votes from the panel of reporters and broadcasters. Denver’s Jamal Murray finished second, and Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards came in third. The vote was a landslide, with SGA receiving 96 of 100 first-place votes.
What made his case airtight
SGA led the entire NBA with 175 clutch points across just 27 clutch games. He shot 51.5% from the floor in those high-pressure moments while adding 21 assists and 16 rebounds. He was the only player in the league with a clutch plus-minus above 80.
The Thunder achieved a remarkable 20–7 record in clutch games with SGA playing. They dominated opponents, outscoring them by an impressive 93 points in those critical moments. Such achievements not only earn accolades but also establish a player’s legacy, influencing their reputation for years to come.
The story behind the Jerry West Award
The NBA introduced the Clutch Player of the Year award for the 2022–23 season to honor late-game greatness. It is named after Los Angeles Lakers legend Jerry West, who played for LA from 1960 to 1974. Broadcaster Chick Hearn gave West the lasting nickname Mr. Clutch for his sharp and precise late-game shooting.
NBA head coaches nominate candidates each season to build an initial pool of names for consideration. A panel of 100 media members then votes from that group to pick the final winner. The trophy features a player in mid-jump shot form modeled directly after Jerry West’s iconic and precise shooting.
Little-known fact: Jerry West won the NBA Finals MVP award in 1969 even though his Los Angeles Lakers lost the championship to Boston. He remains the only player in league history to win the Finals MVP from the losing team.
Previous winners and what they share
De’Aaron Fox won the very first Clutch Player of the Year award back in 2023. Stephen Curry followed by claiming the honor in 2024. Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks then won it in 2025. Every winner so far has been an elite guard built for big late-game moments.
SGA now joins that exclusive group as the fourth winner in the award’s four-year history. The NBA has produced a different winner each season since the trophy was first handed out. SGA is also the first player to bring this particular honor home to Oklahoma City and the Thunder franchise.
What comes next for SGA
The Clutch Player of the Year trophy is just the opening act for what could be a truly massive individual awards haul. SGA averaged 31.1 points per game this season while shooting 55.3% from the field. He also shattered Wilt Chamberlain’s all-time record for consecutive 20-point games this regular season.
He is a finalist for MVP alongside Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama for the 2025–26 season award. In ESPN’s final media straw poll, SGA landed on top of 88 out of 100 ballots. A second straight MVP would put him among the select group of players to win back-to-back MVP awards.
Fun fact: SGA broke Wilt Chamberlain’s record of 126 consecutive 20-point games on March 12, 2026, against the Boston Celtics. Chamberlain set that mark across multiple decades, and many considered it completely untouchable.
SGA speaks on what the award means
SGA kept it direct and heartfelt when he accepted the award live on NBC Sports before a national audience. He said, “This award means a lot,” adding, “to get this award, you have to help your team win games late and what I’m about more than anything is winning games.”
He emphasized the unwavering trust his team places in him during crucial moments of every game. This sense of responsibility motivates him to perform consistently, pushing him to deliver for his teammates night after night. It’s this drive that fuels his commitment and determination on the court.
A dynasty in the making
SGA already holds the NBA MVP and NBA Finals MVP awards from last season when he led Oklahoma City to the 2025 championship. He is 27 years old and performing at a level that very few players in league history have ever sustained. Adding Clutch Player of the Year makes his trophy shelf even more impressive.
The Thunder won 64 games this season and finished with the best record in the entire NBA. They did it despite major injuries to key players like Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams throughout the year. SGA carried the load without complaint and kept Oklahoma City at the top of the Western Conference all season long.
TL;DR
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won the 2025–26 NBA Clutch Player of the Year award on April 21, 2026.
- He received 96 of 100 first-place votes in a near-unanimous decision over Jamal Murray and Anthony Edwards.
- SGA led the NBA with 175 clutch points and helped the Thunder go 20–7 in clutch games.
- The award comes with the Jerry West Trophy, named after the Lakers legend known as Mr. Clutch.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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