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There is no accurate definition of the term 'clutch', but the general consensus is the ability to deliver under pressure with the game on the line, in the biggest arenas and under the brightest spotlights.
The NBA has many such stars who have the ability to take over games in the fourth quarter and carry their respective teams on their shoulders.
Here, we take a look at the five most clutch players in the league right now:
#5 Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant has always been a prolific scorer but he added a whole new layer to his game following his move to the Golden State Warriors in 2016.
Durant hit arguably the greatest shot of his career during Game 3 of the 2017 NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
With the Warriors trailing by 2 and under a minute to play, Durant grabbed a rebound, strolled to the other end of the court and drilled a three right in LeBron James' face, sealing his side's victory. Durant followed it up with a similar shot the following year against the Cavs to once again seal the Warriors' victory.
Durant's size and athleticism make him virtually unguardable all game, but when he gets the ball in his hands in the final period, he's among the most dangerous players in the league.
Till date, Durant has connected with 67 of 206 clutch shot attempts and shot a career-best 58% during clutch time in the 2017/18 season.
#4 Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard has made a career out of delivering in crunch situations. For years, Lillard has carried the Portland franchise on his back, sparking remarkable comebacks and fourth-quarter turnarounds through his clutch play.
Lillard has a history of making the most outrageous buzzer-beating shots, including one in last year's playoffs when he sunk a 37-footer over Paul George to knock the Thunder out.
Last season, Lillard finished with an effective field goal % of 53.5 during clutch time.
#3 LeBron James
LeBron James has come under fire in the past for his tendency to give up the final shot in games. However, he still remains one of the most clutch players in the league.
His biggest asset is his ability to make the right plays down the stretch, be it finding an open teammate or driving to the basket himself.
LeBron also has five buzzer-beaters to his credit, the most in league history. A few examples of his clutch play over the years are his driving layup against the Indiana Pacers in the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals and a banked-in three-pointer against the Orlando Magic in the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals.
He has not slowed down with age and continued his fourth-quarter dominance in the 2018 playoffs, pouring in 47 points and shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc during clutch time.
#2 Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving cemented his legacy as one of the greatest closers in the NBA with one jump shot that resonated across the NBA. In the 2015/16 NBA Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers had recovered from a 3-1 deficit against a red-hot Golden State Warriors side to tie things up at 3-3 heading into the final game.
With the scores tied at 89 and under a minute to play, Irving launched a contested three over the head of Steph Curry and watched it sail straight into the basket. Golden State could never recover and ended up losing the contest 93-89, with Irving playing a major role in ending Cleveland's championship drought.
Irving continued his clutch play following his trade to the Boston Celtics and averaged 4.3 points per game in clutch time the past two seasons, which is among the best in the league.
#1 Kawhi Leonard
The epitome of fourth-quarter excellence, Kawhi Leonard has developed into a winning machine over the years.
His ability to produce remarkable plays on both ends of the court down the stretch with the game on the line has elevated his status to a point where he is now considered among the greatest players in the league.
Leonard rose to prominence with his display in the 2014 NBA Finals, playing stifling defense on LeBron James and helping San Antonio outlast the Miami Heat. His displays also earned him the Finals MVP award.
Although he could not add to his tally of NBA titles at San Antonio, his move to Toronto helped him unleash his full arsenal of skills.
In Game 7 of the 2019 Eastern Conference Semifinals against Philadelphia, Leonard showcased his clutch gene as he finished with 41 points and produced a truly remarkable game-winner that rattled off the rim multiple times before settling in the basket.
He followed it up with clutch performances against the Milwaukee Bucks, helping the Raptors recover from a 0-2 deficit to win the next four games.
In the NBA Finals, he played lockdown defense on the likes of Steph Curry and Kevin Durant and ensured the Warriors never stood a chance of retaining their title, with Leonard winning his second Finals MVP award in the process.
Leonard averaged 4.7 points per game during clutch time last season, which was the second-best among players that featured in more than 30 games.
