The shoe fits and De’Aaron Fox is wearing it.
The star Kings guard was crowned the NBA’s first ever Clutch Player of the Year — and his 26 fourth quarter points in the post-season so far back it up.
The 25-year-old won the award over veteran scorers DeMar DeRozan and Jimmy Butler in dominant fashion with 91 first-place votes.
This recognition is perfect timing as the All-Star guard has led his team to a 2-0 lead against the defending champions Warriors in the first round of the playoffs.
In Game 1 vs. the Warriors, Fox scored 15 points in the fourth quarter and followed it up with an 11-point showing in he final quarter in Game 2 — including a back-breaking trey in the 114-106 win.
“I think that brought us together,” Fox said after the victory. “We huddled up and were like, ‘We have to win this game.’ Everybody thought he’d be ejected. When that happens, usually that team comes together and goes on a run. But we were able to negate that.”
But this isn’t anything new for Fox, who has truly been king of the clutch all season.
“Clutch time” is defined as “the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the score is within five points” according to the league.
He led the NBA with 194 points on 72 field goals in clutch time this season as well as 103 points in the final three minutes of three-point games — including three game winners.
His fourth quarter performance was just as good, having 547 total points with a 7.8 point average in the final quarter.
“You can’t be afraid to fail,” Fox said on the TNT broadcast of the announcement. “Obviously, you’re not going to make every shot, but my teammates, my coaches, they put me in position to succeed. So the least I can do is have confidence in myself to take good shots.”
It’s been a breakout season for Fox who’s 51.2 field goal percentage is a career-best.
He averaged 25 points and 6.1 assists this season on the way to his playoff debut.
If Fox continues to summon his clutch gene, his first playoff run could be a legacy-defining moment for his young career.