NBA Clutch Player of the Year Odds 2025: Nikola Jokic Remains Favorite to Win Award
The Clutch Player of the Year is both the NBA's newest award and the toughest to project ahead of the campaign. While some individual accolades like Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player have clear leaders entering the year, the "most clutch" player could be chosen from an endless list of candidates.
- Nikola Jokic jumped all the way from off the main leaderboard in the preseason to the clear favorite across our best sports betting sites after putting together a ridiculous start to his campaign
- Jayson Tatum has taken a big leap up the leaderboard to No. 3 as the main late-game option for the NBA championship betting favorites in the Boston Celtics
- Stephen Curry was the preseason favorite but sits just tied for ninth as things currently stand
Here's a look at the NBA Clutch Player of the Year odds and favorites as we head into 2025.
NBA Clutch Player of the Year odds 2025
NBA Clutch Player of the Year odds from our best NBA betting sites.
- Despite sitting second on the odds table, the inaugural award winner in De'Aaron Fox actually leads the NBA in total clutch points
- Trae Young ranks just behind Fox and Jokic in clutch points but is shooting just 36.4% from the field in those situations, far lower than his counterparts
- Thanks to his team's dominance, MVP hopeful Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is only tied for 22nd in clutch points, as he's appeared in just nine games that were close in the final minutes
NBA Clutch Player of the Year favorite 2025
Nikola Jokic (+250)
Just when it seemed like there wasn't much more three-time Most Valuable Player winner Nikola Jokic could do in the NBA, the prospect of him winning the Clutch Player of the Year award came about in the early months of the season.
Born out of the Nuggets being nowhere near as dominant as the last few seasons due to a handful of injuries and offseason departures, Jokic has been much more involved scoring the basketball than in previous seasons. That's led to a major scoring uptick - and clutch time scoring has followed.
The NBA MVP odds favorite sits second in the league in clutch points per game, despite playing five fewer games that have been tight down the stretch than the leader in Fox. Of course, Jokic has always been one to step up with it matters most, and he's perhaps most known for his wild buzzer-beater against the Golden State Warriors last season.
Outside of his scoring tally, Jokic has also been mighty efficient across his 63 minutes of clutch time this season, shooting 52.6% from the field, 57.1% from 3-point range, and 75% from the line. With those numbers and the expectation that Denver will remain in tight games in the middle of an absolutely loaded Western Conference, there's no reason to see Jokic's clutch tally start to plummet.
That all said, as we've found out from the first two iterations of this award, the player with the most clutch points is likely to be the winner. With that in mind, it's hard to fully trust Jokic to take home the award with a $10 wager only bringing back $25.
Best odds: +250 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 28.57%
My NBA Clutch Player of the Year candidate to watch
Tyrese Maxey (+5000)
Let's cut right to the chase here - Maxey has played at least four fewer clutch games than every other top candidate, yet he sits tied for fourth in total clutch points. That puts him first in clutch points per game among qualified players and over a full point better than second-place Jokic.
Of course, multiple factors are at play here. Maxey missed time due to injury, but the 76ers' struggles have also not put Maxey in enough clutch scenarios when he's healthy. Additionally, in a potential Catch-22 situation, Maxey has had more clutch opportunities due to lengthy injuries to fellow stars Joel Embiid and Paul George, which could hurt his usage now that they're back. But at the same time, their return makes the team more competitive, which will inevitably give him more clutch-time oppportunities.
Simply put, Maxey is made for the clutch. He's had several jaw-dropping highlights late in games, especially in last year's playoffs. He also led the 76ers in total clutch points in the regular season last year. Maxey's efficiency goes way up down the stretch in close games, too. He's shooting 53.6% from the field, 36.4% from deep, and 82.1% from the free-throw line when the contest is close in the final minutes.
All told, there's value in a long-shot wager on Maxey's spectacular late-game play with the expectation that he'll be thrusted into more of those scenarios as the campaign picks up.
Best odds: +5000 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 1.96%
How to bet on NBA Clutch Player of the Year Award
Betting on NBA Clutch Player of the Year odds is straightforward. First, pick a reputable sportsbook offering NBA awards futures. Check the odds for various players; for instance, if Player A has +300 odds and Player B has +700, Player A is favored to win.
Place your bet by deciding how much to wager. If you bet $100 on Player A at +300 and they win, you’ll get $400 back ($100 stake + $300 profit). Keep an eye on player performances throughout the season to gauge your bet’s potential.
Now, why do odds move in future markets? It’s all about performance and perception. If a player performs exceptionally well or poorly, their odds will shift. Injuries to the player or their competitors can also significantly impact their chances of winning this award, as do notable late-game moments like game-winners.
The success of the player’s team can improve their odds as well. Public betting trends play a role; if many people are betting on one player, sportsbooks might adjust the odds to balance their risk. Expert analysis and predictions can also influence how people bet, affecting the odds. Understanding these factors helps you make informed bets and potentially take advantage of favorable odds movements.
How to read NBA awards odds
Reading NBA awards odds involves understanding the implied probability and potential payouts associated with each player's odds of winning the award. NBA odds are typically presented in American odds.
These use plus and minus symbols to indicate underdogs and favorites, respectively. For instance, if a player's odds are +500, a $100 bet would result in a $500 profit if the player wins, while odds of -200 would mean that a $200 bet is required to win $100 in profit.
When reading NBA awards odds, lower odds indicate that a player has a higher probability of winning the award, while higher odds suggest that a player is considered less likely to win. Bettors should consider factors such as a player's performance, team success, and narrative appeal when evaluating these odds.
It's also important to compare odds across different sportsbooks to identify the best value bets. Additionally, bettors should keep in mind that odds can fluctuate throughout the season based on player performance, injuries, and other factors, so staying informed and monitoring odds changes can be crucial for making informed betting decisions.
NBA Clutch Player of the Year odds over time
(Latest odds via FanDuel)
Player | Aug. 14 | Nov. 14 | Dec. 31 |
---|---|---|---|
Stephen Curry | +1000 | +900 | +3000 |
Luka Doncic | +1100 | +3400 | OFF |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | +1100 | +2300 | +2200 |
Anthony Edwards | +1200 | +2300 | +1800 |
Jalen Brunson | +1400 | +2900 | +3500 |
Damian Lillard | +1400 | +2900 | +3500 |
Donovan Mitchell | +1800 | +3400 | +2200 |
Trae Young | +2000 | +2600 | +1200 |
Kevin Durant | +2000 | +1100 | +1500 |
Past NBA Clutch Player of the Year winners
Year | Name | Team |
---|---|---|
2023-24 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors |
2022-23 | De'Aaron Fox | Sacramento Kings |
NBA Clutch Player of the Year Award FAQs
Who is the Clutch Player of the Year favorite?
Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic is the favorite to win the 2024-25 NBA Clutch Player of the Year award with odds of +250, which indicates an implied probability of winning of 28.57%.
Who won the Clutch Player of the Year Award last year?
Stephen Curry won the NBA Clutch Player of the Year award after leading the NBA in an assortment of clutch stats in 2023-24, including points (189) and 3-pointers made (32), as part of his late-game heroics shots for the Golden State Warriors.
When will the Clutch Player of the Year Award be decided?
Last season's award winner was announced on Thursday, April 25, during the NBA playoffs, we can expect next year's award to be decided at a similar time.
What is the NBA Clutch Player of the Year Award trophy called?
The NBA Clutch Player of the Year Award trophy was named the Jerry West Trophy in honor of Jerry West, who was renowned for his ability to rise to the occasion in clutch moments.
NBA betting odds pages
Here are our best NBA betting sites:
- Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUSDYW | Read our Caesars Review
- BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.
Related pages
- Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)