Who Has the Most Clutch Points in NBA History?
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We take a look at the NBA players with the most clutch points in history.
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time. He was a ten-time NBA All-Star, six-time NBA champion, and the league’s Most Valuable Player five times. He also holds the record for the most points in a single game, as well as the most points in a career. In addition to his individual accomplishments, Jordan was a member of the USA Olympic basketball team that won the gold medal in 1984.
Last-second field goals
The game is on the line, and your team needs a bucket. Who do you want taking the shot?
For many basketball fans, the answer is Michael Jordan. Jordan was one of the most clutch players in NBA history, and he made a habit of hitting big shots in crunch time.
In his career, Jordan hit numerous last-second field goals to win games or tie them up. Some of his most famous clutch shots include:
-The “Shot” over Craig Ehlo in the 1989 playoffs
-The jumper against Bryon Russell to win the 1998 NBA Finals
-The game-winning shot against Washington in the 1987 Eastern Conference finals
There are countless other examples of Jordan coming through in the clutch, and he cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time with his ability to hit big shots when it mattered most.
Game-winning shots
Michael Jordan is widely considered to be the greatest basketball player of all time. He was a dominant force on both ends of the floor during his 15-year NBA career, and his competitive nature and exceptional skill level led him to frequently be involved in clutch situations.
Most people would correctly guess that Jordan has the most game-winning shots in NBA history, but he actually ranks fourth on the all-time list. He made 28 game-winning shots during the regular season and another eight in the playoffs. However, he trails Kobe Bryant (60), LeBron James (48), and Jerry West (42) in that category.
While Jordan didn’t hit as many game-winners as some of his contemporaries, he was still very successful in those situations. His regular season field goal percentage on game-winners was 46.4%, while his playoff percentage was an impressive 50%. In other words, when the game was on the line, Jordan stepped up and delivered more often than not.
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant, who played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, is widely considered one of the greatest players in NBA history. He was a 17-time All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, and 12-time member of the All-Defensive Team. He led the Lakers to five NBA championships and was the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP). He is the fourth-leading scorer in NBA history and is one of only four players to score at least 33,000 points.
Last-second field goals
Kobe Bryant has the most last-second field goals in NBA history. He’s made 22 of them, including playoffs. Michael Jordan is second with 16, and LeBron James is third with 15. Dirk Nowitzki, Carmelo Anthony and Ray Allen have all made 14 each.
Game-winning shots
Kobe Bryant has the most game-winning shots in NBA history. He’s made 30 of them, including eight in the playoffs. That’s five more than any other player in NBA history.
Bryant’s ability to hit clutch shots has been one of the trademarks of his 20-year career. He’s scored some of the most iconic baskets in NBA history, including a buzzer-beater to beat the Phoenix Suns in 2006 and a tough jumper over Shane Battier to seal a win against the Houston Rockets in 2009.
Bryant’s game-winning shots have come in all sorts of situations, from wide open jumpers to tough, contested layups. But no matter how difficult the shot, Bryant has always been confident in his ability to hit it.
“I live for those moments,” Bryant said of his game-winning shots. “I love those moments.”
While Bryant has the most game-winning shots in NBA history, he’s not the only player with a knack for making them. LeBron James is second on the all-time list with 25 game-winning shots, including seven in the playoffs. Dwyane Wade is third with 24 game-winners, while Michael Jordan and Carmelo Anthony are tied for fourth with 23 each.
LeBron James
LeBron James is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing at 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m), and weighing 250 lb (113 kg), he has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and the Lakers. He has been voted NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) four times, has won two NBA championships, and is the all-time NBA playoffs scoring leader. He is also one of only four players to amass at least 27,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 9,000 assists in their careers.
Last-second field goals
In the NBA, a clutch shot is defined as a game-winning shot with under 24 seconds left on the clock.
LeBron James has made more clutch shots than any other player in NBA history. As of March 2019, he’s hit 34 game-winners with under 24 seconds left, including eight in the playoffs.
Other players with a significant number of clutch shots include Kobe Bryant (24), Carmelo Anthony (22), Dwyane Wade (19), and Paul Pierce (19).
Interestingly, LeBron’s teams have actually lost more games than they’ve won when he takes a last-second shot. In the regular season, his teams are 14-20 in those situations. In the playoffs, they’re just 3-5.
Game-winning shots
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is often considered one of the most clutch players in NBA history. He has hit many game-winning shots throughout his career, including several in the playoffs.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, James has hit 23 game-winning shots in the regular season and 11 in the playoffs. That includes a buzzer-beater to beat the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of the 2009 Eastern Conference finals.
In the 2017-18 season, James hit a game-winner against the Minnesota Timberwolves with seconds remaining. He also had a game-winner against the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the 2018 first round.
In total, James has made 34 game-winners in his NBA career. That’s the most in league history.
