Methodology

Clutch

Clutch stats on Hoops Junkie are calculated using the final 5 minutes of the game, when the margin is within 5 points. To my understanding this definition was first coined by Zach Lowe, though I don't have any proof of this. This definition has become so widely accepted that it has been adopted by the NBA itself.

Keep an eye out for the watch icon icon in the play-by-play feed to identify which plays qualify as clutch.

Possession and margin boundaries

The clutch designation is evaluated at the start of each possession. Both time and margin must be satisfied when the possession begins. A possession that starts at 5:20 with a 3-point margin is not considered clutch, even if it extends past the 5:00 mark. Conversely, a possession that starts at 4:58 with a 4-point margin is clutch, even if the resulting score pushes the margin beyond 5 points. All overtime possessions are automatically eligible for clutch status provided the margin condition is met.