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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wins appropriate award in landslide

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

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Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wins appropriate NBA award in landslide

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Apr 21, 2026 8:12 PM ET

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After winning 2025-26 Clutch Player of the Year, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander seemed ice-cold, just like whenever he knocks down a game-winning pull-up jumper.

"To get this award, you have to help your teams win late," he told NBA on NBC, while barely smiling. "That's what I'm after more than anything."

For a player who just won a notable award, one would think Gilgeous-Alexander would be more elated. Perhaps he was just relaxed. The guard had every reason to be. He faced little competition for the award.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won Clutch Player of the Year in a landslide

Per NBA Communications, Gilgeous-Alexander won 96 of 100 first-place votes. Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray finished second (33 second-place votes), while Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards came in third (32 second-place votes). (Edwards is still eligible for this award, even though he didn't meet the 65-game minimum for other honors.)

"To get this award you have to help your teams win late. That's what I'm after more than anything."

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins NBA Showtime after he was just announced Clutch Player of the Year. pic.twitter.com/8fbI8fH2FC
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) April 21, 2026

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the fourth different Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year winner in the award’s four seasons.

A global media panel of 100 voters made the selection.

Complete voting results ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/1vu3ixK1pJ
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 21, 2026

Most voters knew they couldn't argue against the numbers. Gilgeous-Alexander led the NBA with 175 total clutch points and 6.5 points per game in clutch time (games within five points in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime). Plus, he made a league-leading 16 go-ahead field goals in clutch time.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the NBA with 175 total clutch points and 6.5 points per game in clutch time (games within five points in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime).

He also made an NBA-leading 16 go-ahead field goals in clutch time. https://t.co/hIYMTsaExk
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 21, 2026

What makes that even more impressive is Gilgeous-Alexander didn't have as many opportunities to deliver in the clutch as his fellow stars this season. The Thunder finished the regular season with the best record in the NBA (64-18), and their average margin of victory was a league-leading 11.1 PPG.

Consequently, Gilgeous-Alexander was often on the bench in the fourth quarter this season. Per StatMuse, he played in the fourth quarter in 42 of his 68 games. Murray, meanwhile, competed in 66 of his 75 games, and Edwards suited up in 56 of 61.

That only increases his chances of winning NBA MVP. He's also been named a finalist for that award along with Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and San Antonio Spurs forward-center Victor Wembanyama. The league hasn't announced when it will reveal that award.

If Gilgeous-Alexander repeats as MVP, perhaps he'll show more enthusiasm. Don't count on it, though. The guard is calm, cool and collected, which makes him the guy Oklahoma City wants with his ball in his hands when the game is on the line, and the guy other teams fear when he does.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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