De’Aaron Fox named NBA Clutch Player of the Year

Mr. Fourth Quarter just got himself some new hardware.

Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox has been named the NBA’s first-ever Clutch Player of the Year.

The sixth-year guard was a go-to option for Sacramento in late-game situations this season, as Fox came through in the fourth countless times while leading Sacramento to its first NBA Playoff berth since 2006.

Coaches and media from around the league voted Fox the Clutch Player of the Year, as ‘Swipa’ beat out Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan and Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler in the process.

Fox received 91 of the 100 first-place votes.

.@swipathefox is the 2022-23 #KiaClutch Player of the Year! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rlvQ0Agtyo

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 18, 2023

While coming through in the clutch is nothing new for Fox, the 25-year-old took a leap this season, especially regarding sealing wins for the 48-win Kings.

The NBA defines clutch time as minutes played when the scoring margin is within five points with five or fewer minutes remaining in a game. When Sacramento was in a tight spot late, Fox came through time and time again.

Fox ended the season as the NBA’s leader in clutch points (194), field goals made (72), field goal percentage (53%), paint points (88), and usage rate (43%).

Scoring in the fourth was seemingly effortless for Fox, who finished just four points shy of Kyrie Irving (551) for the most points scored in the fourth quarter this season.

Fox, a first-time All-Star in 2022-23, finished the season with averages of 25.0 points, 4.2 rebounds (career-high), 6.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 51 percent from the field and 32 percent from three-point range.

Whether it was his near-half-court buzzer-beater in Orlando, a 22-point fourth quarter in Utah, or a late dagger in Chicago, there was no shortage of great Fox moments this season.

By scoring 547 points in the fourth quarter this season, Fox broke Mitch Richmond’s Sacramento-era (1985-present) record of 510 points (1996-97).

Fox is also closing in on DeMarcus Cousins’ Sacramento-era fourth quarter points record. The speedy guard needs 107 fourth-quarter points next season to pass Cousins’ mark of 2,195 points.

In a season that has been full of wins for this franchise, Fox becomes the latest bright spot of a year that Kings fans will remember for a very long time.

Upcoming Sacramento Kings Schedule

NBA Western Conference Playoffs – First Round

• Thursday, April 20th – Game 3: Sacramento Kings @ Golden State Warriors – 7:00 PM PST
• Sunday, April 23rd – Game 4: Sacramento Kings @ Golden State Warriors – 12:30 PM PST
• Wednesday, April 26th – Game 5**: Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors – TBD
• Friday, April 28th – Game 6**: Sacramento Kings @ Golden State Warriors – TBD
• Sunday, April 30th – Game 7**: Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors – TBD

**If necessary

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