NBA Today: 5 Most clutch players in the league right now

#1 Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard

The epitome of fourth-quarter excellence, Kawhi Leonard has developed into a winning machine over the years.

His ability to produce remarkable plays on both ends of the court down the stretch with the game on the line has elevated his status to a point where he is now considered among the greatest players in the league.

Leonard rose to prominence with his display in the 2014 NBA Finals, playing stifling defense on LeBron James and helping San Antonio outlast the Miami Heat. His displays also earned him the Finals MVP award.

Although he could not add to his tally of NBA titles at San Antonio, his move to Toronto helped him unleash his full arsenal of skills.

In Game 7 of the 2019 Eastern Conference Semifinals against Philadelphia, Leonard showcased his clutch gene as he finished with 41 points and produced a truly remarkable game-winner that rattled off the rim multiple times before settling in the basket.

He followed it up with clutch performances against the Milwaukee Bucks, helping the Raptors recover from a 0-2 deficit to win the next four games.

In the NBA Finals, he played lockdown defense on the likes of Steph Curry and Kevin Durant and ensured the Warriors never stood a chance of retaining their title, with Leonard winning his second Finals MVP award in the process.

Leonard averaged 4.7 points per game during clutch time last season, which was the second-best among players that featured in more than 30 games.