Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could one-up Anthony Edwards once again

All season long, it's seemed like Anthony Edwards has been in the driver's seat of the Clutch Player of the Year award. Averaging 5.7 points on 56 percent shooting from the field and an effective field goal percentage of 63.7. Edwards' case couldn't be clearer. Furthermore, it doesn't hurt that he has had big-time clutch moments on national TV, most notably handing the Oklahoma City Thunder their third loss of the season. 

Unfortunately for Ant and Minnesota Timberwolves fans, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is making a clear push for the award. Notably, SGA averages more clutch points, on slightly lower efficiency (48.3 from the field and a 55.1 effective field goal percentage). 

On Monday night, Shai may have very well won his second straight MVP award with a dominant 35-point, 15-assist, nine-rebound outing against Nikola Jokic and the Thunder. The MVP race is the main story from this game, but Shai's clutch time heroics (nine clutch points, including a game-winning 3-pointer) could have shifted another award race. 

SGA has a clear path to winning Clutch Player of the Year

SGA is one of the very few players who is a tier above Edwards, and the Thunder has been a thorn in the Wolves' side regarding their title chances. The two players and teams have developed a clear rivalry. As such, losing out on the Clutch Player of the Year award to Shai would sting a bit extra for Ant and Wolves fans. 

Let's be honest, big moments matter just as much as a body of work over the course of a season for NBA awards. Likewise, voters are understandably prisoners of the moment. Monday's game against the Thunder was one of the most memorable regular season games of the season. Thus, voters may think back to this game when they submit their award ballots. 

And it's not like Shai doesn't have a worthy case, as mentioned, he leads the league in clutch points. Much like Ant, the entirety of the Thunder's clutch time offense revolves around Shai. Now, if Edwards has some big-time clutch moments to close the season, he could clearly regain control of the award. Regardless, it's hard to think there could be a bigger regular season moment than what Shai did on Monday. 

None of this is to say that Edwards won't or shouldn't win the award; his efficiency, importance to the Timberwolves, and big-time moments speak for themselves. My point is that Shai's elite clutch time heroics could have shifted the race. At the very least, it makes things more interesting. 

It would be awesome to see Ant-Man win a major award like Clutch Player of the Year. Nevertheless, in the big picture, it's small potatoes as Ant and the Wolves are solely focused on winning the championship. If Shai does steal Clutch Player of the Year from Ant, though, it would add another wrinkle to a budding rivalry.