In addition to keeping tabs on a player’s stats, people also watch out for the points they make in the closing moments of the game, referred to as ‘clutch points.’
But why would they make a separate count for it? Isn’t it already included in their overall scores?
Clutch moments are important and tallied differently, not only because it shows us how optimistic and driven a player is to turn the tide in the last few seconds of the game, but because it’s a measure of a player’s ability to score under such immense pressure.
And given the NBA’s history, only the best players in the league can rise up to the challenge and make that decisive basket when the clock is low. So, when San Antonio Spurs’ young Center/Forward, Victor Wembanyama, joined the list of distinguished clutch point leaders this season, it further solidified his reputation as a multifaceted, all-around rookie.
Wembanyama: 3rd in Clutch Time Points
The 19-year-old French phenom is currently ranked third on the leaderboard for clutch time points, according to ESPN’s First Take, behind only LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks.
Wembanyama has a total of 21 points so far into the season, while James and Doncic have 23 and 22, respectively. Golden State Warriors’ very own star, Stephen Curry, also joined the list in the fourth position with 20 points.
Victor Wembanyama is 3rd in most clutch time points this season. He’s only 19! Just crazy stuff man! pic.twitter.com/DhW208kJ5o
— PJ Hoops (@RealPjHoops) November 3, 2023
Kevin Durant on Wembanyama: He’s his own player
Following the Spurs’ recent 115-114 victory over the Phoenix Suns, Kevin Durant had nothing but positive things to say about the rookie, who gave an outstanding performance in the final 2:24 of the game.
“I don’t see anybody else in his game. I know we’re both skinny, and I’m sure he said he watched me growing up but he’s his own player. I’m sure he watched so many great players in the league and try to emulate just about everybody,” Durant said of Wembanyama.
“You could tell in his enthusiasm for the game. He’s his own player-person; he’s going to create his own name. He’s much different than anybody who’s ever played. You could try to compare, but he’s going to carve out his own name,” he added.
KD after Wemby's 38-point performance:
"I don't see anybody else in his game…He's going to create his own lane. He's much different than anybody who's ever played. You can try to compare but he's going to call out his own name." pic.twitter.com/EQFvCTwthS
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) November 3, 2023
His fourth-quarter heroics against the Suns last week, in which he scored nine of his season-high 18 points, were a preview of what he can be capable of in the future.
He came through in the fourth quarter after his teammates had done most of the work to help San Antonio fight back from 20 points down.
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