Anthony Edwards and LeBron James, two of the NBA’s most dynamic players, find themselves in an unexpected statistical anomaly. According to NBA stats, Anthony Edwards has gone 0-12 on go-ahead or game-tying field goal attempts in the final five seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime since entering the league. Meanwhile, LeBron James holds an even more surprising record, missing all 19 such attempts since 2020.
While these numbers may initially seem damning, they require deeper context to avoid misconstruing the narrative about these players’ overall clutch ability.
1. LeBron James – 0-19 FG (0.0%)
2. Anthony Edwards – 0-12 FG (0.0%)
3. Bradley Beal – 0-10 FG (0.0%)
4. Darius Garland – 0-10 FG (0.0%)
5. Jaylen Brown – 1-12 FG (8.3%)
6. Fred VanVleet – 1-12 FG (8.3%)
7. Kevin Durant – 1-11 FG (9.1%)
8. Donovan Mitchell – 2-14 FG (14.3%)
9. Devin Booker – 3-19 FG (15.8%)
10. Nikola Jokic – 3-18 FG (16.7%)
Credit for stats: Stathead Basketball
This statistic focuses on shots taken within the final five seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime, in situations where the team is trailing or tied, and the shot could tie the game or give the team the lead. These high-pressure moments demand precision and nerves of steel, and they are often the most difficult situations in basketball.
The specific nature of the statistic should not overshadow the players’ broader reputations for clutch performances. For instance, LeBron James is widely regarded as one of the most clutch players in NBA history, with numerous iconic game-winning shots in his career, particularly in the playoffs.
However, in this exact scenario—the final five seconds with the chance to tie or take the lead—LeBron has struggled over the last few years. This could be due to defensive schemes, rushed decision-making, or simply bad luck.
Similarly, Anthony Edwards, despite his 0-12 record in these moments, has delivered under pressure in other situations. Edwards has displayed a fearless approach to crunch-time play, with memorable performances in high-stakes games for the Minnesota Timberwolves. His youth and relative inexperience likely contribute to his difficulties in this narrow metric, but his trajectory suggests improvement is inevitable.
Other players on the list, such as Bradley Beal, Darius Garland, and Jaylen Brown, have also had their struggles, showcasing how challenging it is to convert in such high-pressure scenarios. Even proven clutch performers like Kevin Durant and Nikola Jokic have subpar numbers in this situation, further underscoring its difficulty.
This metric does not define a player’s overall ability to perform in clutch moments. Many of the players on this list, including LeBron, Edwards, Durant, and Jokic, have hit numerous game-winning or game-altering shots outside of this specific scenario.
The “0-12” and “0-19” marks for Edwards and LeBron respectively highlight an intriguing quirk, not a definitive judgment on their clutch ability. These players remain integral to their teams’ success in critical moments. In fact, their willingness to take these high-stakes shots speaks volumes about their confidence and leadership.
While this data reveals a unique pattern, it is important to remember the broader picture: clutch greatness cannot be encapsulated by a single statistic.
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