In the high-stakes moments of an NBA game, certain players shine brighter than others, earning reputations as clutch performers.
As the final minutes tick away, teams rely on these athletes to deliver game-changing plays. SportingPost.com, using statistics from StatMuse, has delved into the statistics to identify the top performers in the fourth quarter, highlighting the players who excel when the pressure is on.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Leads PPG in the Fourth Quarter
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks superstar, emerges as the leader in points per game (PPG) during the fourth quarter of games this season. With an average of 8.1 points, the Greek Freak showcases his dominance when the game is on the line.
Following closely behind are familiar faces like LeBron James and De’Aaron Fox, contributing significantly to their respective teams’ late-game efforts.
| NAME | TM | GP | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | MIL | 54 | 8.1 |
| LeBron James | LAL | 50 | 7.9 |
| De’Aaron Fox | SAC | 53 | 7.8 |
| Trae Young | ATL | 50 | 7.7 |
| Anfernee Simons | POR | 32 | 7.5 |
| Stephen Curry | GSW | 55 | 7.4 |
| Kevin Durant | PHX | 55 | 7.3 |
| Luka Doncic | DAL | 53 | 7.2 |
| LaMelo Ball | CHA | 21 | 7.1 |
| Donovan Mitchell | CLE | 44 | 7.1 |
Jalen Williams and Norman Powell: Sharpshooters in the Fourth Quarter
When it comes to precision from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter, Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder stands out. With an impressive 3-point shooting percentage of 55.7%, Williams demonstrates remarkable accuracy, rivaling even the legendary Steph Curry.
Norman Powell of the Los Angeles Clippers also earns recognition for his sharpshooting prowess, joining Williams as one of the few players in the NBA to maintain a 3-point percentage above 50% in the final quarter.
| NAME | TM | GP | 3P made | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Williams | OKC | 53 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 55.7 |
| Norman Powell | LAC | 58 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 52.1 |
| LaMelo Ball | CHA | 21 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 48.1 |
| Lauri Markkanen | UTA | 46 | 0.9 | 2 | 47.8 |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | OKC | 57 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 44.4 |
| Desmond Bane | MEM | 33 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 42.6 |
| Paul George | LAC | 51 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 42.6 |
| Coby White | CHI | 62 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 42.2 |
| Devin Vassell | SAS | 54 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 41.9 |
| Jerami Grant | POR | 43 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 41.5 |
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Most Accurate Scorer
Not only does Antetokounmpo lead in points per game, but he also boasts the highest field goal percentage (FG%) in the fourth quarter. With an astounding FG% of 59.2%, the Bucks superstar showcases both efficiency and effectiveness when it matters most.
Joining him at the top of the list is a fellow two-time MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, solidifying his reputation as one of the most skilled scorers in clutch situations.
| NAME | TM | GP | FGM | FGA | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | MIL | 54 | 2.7 | 4.5 | 59.2 |
| Nikola Jokic | DEN | 53 | 2.1 | 3.7 | 58.2 |
| Zion Williamson | NOP | 48 | 2.2 | 3.8 | 57.6 |
| Jalen Williams | OKC | 53 | 2.7 | 4.7 | 57.4 |
| Dexter Dennis | DAL | 3 | 2.7 | 4.7 | 57.1 |
| Norman Powell | LAC | 58 | 1.9 | 3.3 | 56.8 |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | OKC | 57 | 1.8 | 3.2 | 56 |
| Desmond Bane | MEM | 33 | 2.3 | 4.3 | 53.9 |
| Scottie Barnes | TOR | 58 | 2.2 | 4.2 | 53.5 |
| Lauri Markkanen | UTA | 46 | 1.9 | 3.5 | 53.1 |
Wembanyama Dominates Defensive End
Victor Wembanyama, the rising star of the San Antonio Spurs, emerges as the leader in blocks per fourth quarter. Despite his team’s challenges, Wembanyama showcases his defensive prowess with an average of 1 block per game in the final period.
Alongside him, players like Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors and Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns make significant contributions on the defensive end, protecting the rim with their shot-blocking abilities.
| NAME | TM | GP | BPG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Wembanyama | SAS | 55 | 1 |
| Scottie Barnes | TOR | 58 | 0.4 |
| Kevin Durant | PHX | 55 | 0.4 |
| Jaren Jackson Jr. | MEM | 50 | 0.4 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | MIL | 54 | 0.3 |
| Bam Adebayo | MIA | 51 | 0.3 |
| DeMar DeRozan | CHI | 60 | 0.3 |
| Ja Morant | MEM | 9 | 0.3 |
| Dexter Dennis | DAL | 3 | 0.3 |
| Luka Doncic | DAL | 53 | 0.2 |
| LeBron James | LAL | 50 | 0.2 |
LaMelo Ball: The Steal Master
LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets takes the spotlight for steals per fourth quarter, displaying his knack for disrupting opponents’ offensive plays. With an average of 0.6 steals, Ball showcases his defensive instincts, often turning defense into offense for his team.
Notable names like Scottie Barnes and Giannis Antetokounmpo also make appearances among the top steal leaders, showcasing their versatility on both ends of the court.
Bam Adebayo: Rebounding Royalty
Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat asserts his dominance in the rebounding department during the fourth quarter, averaging three rebounds per game. His tenacity on the boards provides his team with crucial second-chance opportunities, contributing to their late-game success.
Alongside Adebayo, players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Victor Wembanyama showcase their prowess on the glass, solidifying their roles as elite rebounders in clutch situations.
| NAME | TM | GP | RPG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bam Adebayo | MIA | 51 | 3 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | MIL | 54 | 2.7 |
| Victor Wembanyama | SAS | 55 | 2.7 |
| Scottie Barnes | TOR | 58 | 2.5 |
| Nikola Jokic | DEN | 53 | 2.2 |
| Lauri Markkanen | UTA | 46 | 2.1 |
| Dexter Dennis | DAL | 3 | 2 |
| Alperen Sengun | HOU | 51 | 2 |
| LeBron James | LAL | 50 | 1.9 |
| Luka Doncic | DAL | 53 | 1.9 |
Trae Young: Master Facilitator
When it comes to playmaking in the fourth quarter, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks leads the pack in assists per game (APG). With an average of 2.5 assists, Young showcases his ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates, serving as a facilitator during critical moments of the game.
LaMelo Ball and Ja Morant also make significant contributions in distributing the ball, demonstrating their ability to orchestrate their team’s offense when it matters most.
| NAME | TM | MPG | APG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trae Young | ATL | 9.5 | 2.5 |
| LaMelo Ball | CHA | 8.5 | 2.4 |
| Ja Morant | MEM | 9.4 | 2.4 |
| Tyrese Haliburton | IND | 7.3 | 2.3 |
| LeBron James | LAL | 9.6 | 2.1 |
| Luka Doncic | DAL | 8.4 | 2.1 |
| Cade Cunningham | DET | 8.7 | 1.7 |
| Terry Rozier | TOT | 8.5 | 1.7 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | MIL | 8.8 | 1.6 |
| Khris Middleton | MIL | 9.5 | 1.6 |
LeBron James and Trae Young: Turnover Troubles
While LeBron James and Trae Young rank among the most productive players in the fourth quarter, they also top the league in turnovers per game (TPG).
Despite their offensive prowess, these players occasionally struggle with ball security, highlighting the fine line between risk-taking and turnovers in clutch situations.
| NAME | TM | TPG |
|---|---|---|
| LeBron James | LAL | 1 |
| Trae Young | ATL | 1 |
| Dexter Dennis | DAL | 1 |
| Kevin Durant | PHX | 0.9 |
| LaMelo Ball | CHA | 0.9 |
| Victor Wembanyama | SAS | 0.9 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | MIL | 0.8 |
| Anfernee Simons | POR | 0.8 |
| Stephen Curry | GSW | 0.8 |
| Donovan Mitchell | CLE | 0.8 |
