Anthony Edwards Is Owning the Clutch-and the NBA Better Take Notice
It’s rare to see a player ascend the way Anthony Edwards has. Not just into stardom, but into something even more special: the kind of player who gets better every single season, who adds to his arsenal like it’s second nature.
And now, in his sixth year, Edwards isn’t just playing elite basketball-he’s closing games like a stone-cold killer. The Clutch Player of the Year award?
It’s not just within reach. It might already be his to lose.
Let’s talk clutch. The final five minutes of a close game, when every possession counts and every mistake is magnified.
That’s where Edwards has turned into a nightmare for opposing defenses. His effective field goal percentage in clutch time this season?
A jaw-dropping 83.7%. That’s not just good-it’s historic.
The next closest player, Philadelphia’s VJ Edgecombe, is shooting an impressive 68.8%. But Edwards is operating on an entirely different level.
To put that into perspective, here’s how the league stacks up behind him in clutch-time eFG% (min. 30 attempts):
- 83.7% - Anthony Edwards
- 68.8% - VJ Edgecombe
- 62.5% - Nikola Jokic
- 61.7% - Derrick White
- 61.5% - Jamal Murray
- 60.3% - Jalen Johnson
- 60.3% - Ryan Rollins
- 59.2% - Lauri Markkanen
- 57.3% - Steph Curry
- 56.1% - Devin Booker
That’s not just leading the pack-that’s lapping the field.
But Edwards isn’t just scoring in the clutch-he’s making the right reads, too. In a recent game against the Spurs, where he dropped a career-high 55 points, San Antonio made a clear adjustment late: double him the moment he crossed half court.
Last year, that might’ve forced some tough shots or a turnover. This year?
Edwards calmly passed out of pressure, setting up teammates like Donte DiVincenzo for two massive threes. That’s growth.
That’s trust. That’s superstar decision-making.
It’s a far cry from where he was just a season ago. Despite leading the league in three-point makes and attempts last year, Edwards struggled late in games.
Defenses ran him off the line, forcing him into mid-range looks-a shot he hadn’t yet mastered. He shot just 42.6% from the field and 51.7% eFG in clutch situations.
Solid, but not elite.
So what did he do? He went to the film room.
Studied the masters-Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant. Worked on that mid-range game until it became a weapon.
Now, defenders can’t just run him off the arc. He’s lethal from mid-range.
And with his explosiveness, he’s still a force at the rim. Pick your poison.
The result? A scorer who can beat you from three, punish you in the mid-range, and finish through contact at the rim-and now, he’s doing it all when the lights are brightest.
So where does that put him in the league hierarchy?
It’s getting harder and harder to keep Edwards out of that top-five conversation. Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo-those names are still safe bets.
A healthy Jayson Tatum deserves a mention. Luka Doncic is always in the mix, though his defense remains a question mark.
But Edwards? He’s right there.
And at just 24 years old, he’s still climbing.
The scary part? This might not even be his peak.
The league has a problem. Anthony Edwards is no longer just a rising star-he’s a closer, a leader, and one of the most complete offensive weapons in basketball. If he keeps this up, the Clutch Player of the Year award might just be the first of many trophies headed his way.