NBA Clutch Shots 2025-26: The Best Game-Winners and Buzzer-Beaters
Nothing in sports matches the drama of an NBA buzzer-beater. The clock ticking down, the crowd holding their breath, and one player with the ball in their hands and the game on the line. Here are the best clutch shots of the 2025-26 season.
Donovan Mitchell's half-court heave
Cavaliers down 2 with 1.8 seconds left. Mitchell caught the inbound pass at half court, took one dribble, and launched a three from 35 feet. Nothing but net. The Cavaliers won by 1. Mitchell stood at center court with his arms spread wide while his teammates mobbed him. It was the longest game-winning shot of the season.
SGA's step-back three over two defenders
Thunder tied with 4 seconds left. SGA caught the ball at the top of the key, did a step-back move that created just enough space, and hit a three-pointer over two defenders. The ball barely touched the net. SGA didn't even celebrate — he just walked to the bench like he expected it. That's the confidence of the MVP frontrunner.
Jalen Brunson's and-one game-winner
Knicks down 1 with 6 seconds left. Brunson drove into the lane, absorbed contact from two defenders, and hit a floater while falling to the ground. The foul was called. Brunson hit the free throw to put the Knicks up 2. Madison Square Garden erupted. Brunson is the most clutch player in New York since Patrick Ewing.
Steph Curry's logo three
Because of course. Warriors down 3 with 12 seconds left. Curry caught the ball at the logo — 35 feet from the basket — and launched a three that tied the game. The Warriors won in overtime. Curry has hit more logo threes than anyone in NBA history, and at 38, he's still doing it in the biggest moments.
The clutch stats
In clutch situations (final 2 minutes, score within 5 points), the most efficient scorers this season are: Donovan Mitchell (48% FG), SGA (47% FG), Jayson Tatum (45% FG), and Jalen Brunson (44% FG). These are the players you want with the ball when the game is on the line.
Clutch performance is what separates good players from great ones. Anyone can score in garbage time. But hitting a shot with the game on the line, with 20,000 people screaming, with millions watching on TV — that requires a different kind of mental toughness. The players on this list have it.