BREAKING: Anthony Edwards Battling Nikola Jokic and Jalen Brunson For This NBA Award

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has continued to elevate his game each season and become one of the league’s most electrifying superstars.

Edwards took another step this season, being relied on heavily when it matters most and leading his team to the playoffs yet again.

On Sunday, the NBA announced its finalists for each award.

Edwards was named a finalist for the Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year, along with New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.

The Clutch Player of the Year (Jerry West Trophy) Award was handed out for the first time in 2023 to De’Aaron Fox and was awarded to Stephen Curry last season.

As the Timberwolves played in more “clutch” games than any other team this season, there was a ton of oppurtunity for their young superstar in these moments.

Edwards led the NBA in clutch points (defined as points scored during the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the score is within five points) with 157, just one point more than Brunson.

While Edwards possessed the volume, his efficiency and record in these clutch moments were not great compared to the other finalists. He shot 49/115 (42.6%) in the clutch, and the Timberwolves were 19-23 in those games.

On the other hand, Brunson shot 52/101 (51.5%) in the clutch with a 17-11 team record in such games, and Jokic, who finished the regular season with 140 total clutch points, shot 50/89 (56.2%) from the field in the clutch and led Denver to a 19-14 record in those games.

Edwards has been unable to process fast enough when being doubled and make quick decisions in the clutch this season, leading to many tough contested shots, hence the field goal percentage.

Despite these efficiency numbers, Edwards was named a finalist and recognized as one of the three most clutch players in all of basketball this season.

He is also a premier candidate to make the All-NBA First or Second Team, which will be announced in the next few weeks, along with the rest of the awards.

The 23-year-old played 79 regular-season games, averaging 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game on 45/40/84 shooting splits.

Edwards received one first-place vote for Clutch Player of the Year last season and now has a real opportunity to bring it home this year.