New York Knicks star Jalen Branson was named the 2024-25 KIA NBA Clutch Player of the Year and became the third recipient of the prestigious Jerry West Trophy. With ice in his veins and a game of line, Branson’s late-game glow gave him an edge over the other top contenders.
Branson joins the elite clutch company
This marks the third year of the NBA’s Clutch Player Award, and once again, the Point Guard claims his honor. Sacramento’s Dearron Fox won his first trophy in 2023 and Golden State’s Stephen Curry in 2024.
Now it’s Branson’s turn – and he won it in style. The Knicks Guards won 70 out of 70 out of 100 votes, comfortably beating MVP finalists Nikola Jokic (26 first-place votes) and Anthony Edwards (2).
Why Branson was built for now
The NBA defines “clutch time” as the last five minutes of the fourth quarter, or overtime with a score of less than five points. That’s where Branson shined brightest.
- 156 clutch points (2nd in the league – only one behind Edwards)
- 1.15 points per clutch – Most of all players with at least 13 clutches
- Created a field goal at 52 clutch time – The best in the league
- I shot 51.5% with the clutchhigher than Edwards (46.2%) and just behind Jokic (56.2%)
- Clutch assist 3rd (28), tracking only Young and Jokic
He didn’t just fill in the stats sheets – he consistently delivered in minutes and with incredible efficiency.
Numbers behind Branson’s season
Branson’s success was not limited to crunch times. He averaged:
- 26.0 points
- 7.3 Assist
- Shooting from the field 48.8%
- 3 to 38.3%
- 84.0% from the free throw line
He was also selected for his second straight All-Star Game and helped lead the Knicks to third place in the Eastern Conference.
Clutch performance backed by the impact of victory
The Knicks were 17-11 in 28 clutch games Branson played this season. This is evidence of how his post-match calmness translated into the real results of the rankings.
Celebrities like Jokic and Edwards have posted strong cases, but Branson’s combination of efficiency, impact and leadership in close contests has made him a clear choice for voters.
What’s next for Branson and the Knicks?
Branson has already made headlines in the playoffs. The Knicks are tied 1-1 in their first round series with the Detroit Pistons, falling Game 3 on Thursday in Detroit.
If the regular season is any indicator, the Knicks will do well – as long as the game is close and the ball is in Branson’s hands.
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