⏰ Clutch Time - Ranking The Top 5 Game Winners From This NBA Season
- Joel Piton
- Mar 28
- 3 min read
Derik Queen's INSANE buzzer beater against Colorado was easily one of the more unreal shots we've seen this year—at any level. Sure, it was college ball, but it got me thinking: this NBA season has been packed with clutch performances. What are some of the most unforgettable ones—the shots that won’t fade from memory anytime soon?
Here are my picks for the crispiest game-winners the league has delivered since the calendar flipped to 2025—starting with an honorable mention:
JaKobe Walter's Contested Three vs. Magic
Raptors rookie and former Baylor standout JaKobe Walter turned heads on this one. With a hail-mary heave over 6'8" Tristan da Silva, Walter gives the Raptors the edge over Orlando with just 0.5 seconds remaining on the clock, sealing the game 114-113 and giving the squad it's 20th win of the season.
JaKobe?
More like Kobe...🐍
Let's take a look at the Top 5
Kawhi's Left Handed Floater vs. Kings
Fans got flashbacks to 2019 in Toronto in March when Kawhi pulled of the unthinkable. Down 109–110, Kawhi isolated Keegan Murray and put on a post-up clinic—bullying his way into the paint with pure grown-man strength. Then, with the clock winding down, he floated a left-handed shot over not one, not two, but three defenders—including the 7-foot Valanciunas. Nothing but net. Staples Center went berserk, and fans enjoyed a very happy drive home.
Darius Garland LOGO Buzzer Beater
115-115. The Cavs are more determined than ever to prove that they can hold onto that number one spot without Donovan Mitchell. Cade Cunningham knocks down the free throws fans didn't think he deserved. Then came clutch time——Niang slips the ball into Garland's hands as he makes a break for it with 5 seconds remaining. EFFORTLESSLY weaving through the full court press, he chucks it up from 31 feet. Nothing but net. Better luck next time, Detroit.
Trae Young Beyond Half Court vs. Jazz
What’s the best way to top off a 20-point, 20-assist night? A game-winner sounds about right. After Collin Sexton drained a clutch three to tie it for the Jazz, the Hawks had no timeouts left and just one option: get the ball to Ice Trae and pray—and this time the prayer was answered. Heaving up a 50-foot three pointer from well beyond the half court line, young secured a 124-121 victory over Utah as the visiting team, which gave them their 19th win of the season in jaw dropping fashion.
Poole Party FINISHES Denver
The Jordan Poole slander has been out of pocket—and no, it’s not just because we share the same initials. The worst team in the league just knocked off a championship-caliber squad led by the reigning MVP. Four Nuggets players had 20+ points, including a 40 piece from Jokic. How did the Wizards pull it off? For starters, rookie standout Alex Sarr had a career night against Jokic with 34, and KG and Champagnie provided and offensive boost as well. Ultimately, Poole, who only had 19 points himself, clutched the game out with a contested heave from well beyond the three point line. Absolutely brutal for Denver.
Giddey STUNS The Lakers With Miracle
Bulls are down two points. A failed inbound pass leads to an easy handoff to Coby White for the open three, Bulls are up one now. With 3.3 seconds remaining, Reaves goes in for the easy layup to put the Lakers back on top——doesn't matter. Josh Giddey, who posted a triple-double that night, took things home, throwing up a half-court prayer from 47 feet out and clinching the regular season series against Los Angeles with two consecutive wins. That's gotta sting. The last 60 seconds of this game were without question as high energy and exciting as anything we've seen this NBA season. It's safe to say Bulls fans got more than what they paid for that night.
That'll do...for now. It seems we're getting "must-see-TV" caliber clutch plays every single night and there are more deserving of this list, but these are the ones that stand out to me. What are some of your favorite clutch plays from this season, ones you think belong in this list? Let us know down below!
If you've made it this far—you're out of bounds.
Until next time 🎙️
JP
Thanks for reading!
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