The NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year award went to four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry on Thursday in appreciation of his clutch play in late-game scenarios.
With 189 points, Curry led the league in points scored in clutch time, which is characterized as games that are within five points with fewer than five minutes remaining.
In crucial moments, he shot over his season norms, averaging 49.6% from the field, including 45.7% from three-point range.
A 33-footer to defeat the Phoenix Suns on February 10 and a layup at the buzzer to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder in the In-Season Tournament were two of Curry’s game-winning baskets during his heroics in the closing minutes of play.
Curry said to broadcaster TNT during the award’s televised announcement, “You’ve got to be able to fail.”
“I’m not sure if anything clicked other than realizing how much effort you put into the game, and that effort comes with the righteous assurance that, “Okay, I’m ready for any moment.”
Curry is only the second person to win the prize. Last season, De’Aaron Fox of Sacramento took home the inaugural title.
He was one of three candidates, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City and DeMar DeRozan of Chicago. Moreover, Gilgeous-Alexander is a runner-up for Player of the Year.
In the postseason, Curry’s clutch ability is not being put to the test. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Warriors in the play-in round after they placed tenth in the Western Conference.
