Who Is Taking the Last Shot for Every NBA Team In 2025-26?
Analytics have carved their way into the modern NBA, bringing a new level of research and understanding to the game. As the seconds tick down on the shot clock, however, every team still needs a player they can give the ball to and just go get a bucket.
Identifying such players on each team isn't always easy, though, especially with so many switching teams in the 2025 offseason.
Has Luka Dončić earned that position with the Los Angeles Lakers, or does LeBron James' 22-plus years of experience still give him the rights? With Kyrie Irving recovering from a torn ACL, does Anthony Davis or rookie Cooper Flagg get to take the last shot? Do the Washington Wizards have anyone who can step up when needed?
With the game on the line, who is taking the last shot for every NBA team?
Atlanta Hawks: Trae Young
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 7.1
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 1st/5th Overall
The Atlanta Hawks are one of the most improved teams of the 2025 offseason, with players like Kristaps Porziņģis and Nickeil Alexander-Walker added to the mix. Jalen Johnson should be fully healed from season-ending shoulder surgery and 2024 No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher finished his rookie year strong.
With all things being considered, though, the ball still needs to be in the hands of Trae Young at the end of games.
His 7.1 points per game in the fourth quarter were bested by only four other NBA players and ranked higher than guys such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Nikola Jokić.
Young didn't exactly shoot the ball the best (41.0 percent overall in the fourth quarter, 32.8 percent from three) but he's still the best candidate on this team unless Johnson makes another leap.
Boston Celtics: Jaylen Brown
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 5.4
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 1st/39th Overall
Jayson Tatum will likely miss the entire 2025-26 season with a torn Achilles. Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis were traded in salary-shedding moves. Al Horford will almost certainly sign with another team in free agency.
This leaves the Boston Celtics with far fewer options to take the last shot, although they still retain their leading fourth-quarter scorer from last season.
Jaylen Brown actually scored more (5.4 points compared to 5.1) and took more fourth-quarter shots (4.7 compared to 3.7) than Tatum last season and will see the offense run completely through him now.
Derrick White is a good option (4.9 fourth-quarter points per game) and Payton Pritchard is still around for any past half-court heaves.
Brooklyn Nets: Cam Thomas*
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 6.6
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 1st/11th Overall
OK, so Cam Thomas isn't technically a member of the Brooklyn Nets right now, but the restricted free agent is widely expected to stay in New York either on the qualifying offer or a new deal.
Outside of Thomas and Michael Porter Jr., the options in Brooklyn are severely limited as well.
Porter won't have any hesitation getting shots up this season, although Thomas is more skilled at creating his own looks and adjusting launch angles as necessary.
The 23-year-old also had more fourth-quarter points per game than players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokić last season and led the NBA in fourth-quarter usage rate (35.9 percent).
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Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo Ball
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 7.8
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 1st/1st Overall
No player in the NBA averaged more points per game in the fourth quarter than LaMelo Ball last season.
It's safe to say the Charlotte Hornets will again be relying on their star point guard to take the final shot.
Ball simply does not care if he's open or not when the shot clock is winding down. He's getting that thing up there, often in seemingly impossible situations. Only Cam Thomas had a higher fourth-quarter usage rate than Ball's 35.5 percent last season.
The Hornets desperately need a healthy(ish) season from Ball if they want any hope of chasing the playoffs, even in a weakened East. His late-game heroics are a major reason why.
Chicago Bulls: Coby White
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 5.5
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 1st/36th Overall
An argument could be made for Josh Giddey here given this shot, although the restricted free agent is still more of a pass-first player.
Coby White is not afraid of the moment or the opponent when the game is on the line, as Victor Wembanyama can attest to. White is also entering the final year of a team-friendly contract and could use a few more buzzer-beaters to boost his salary for next season.
The Chicago Bulls don't have a ton of late-game options in general, with White also serving as one of the best free-throw shooters in the NBA (90.2 percent) as well.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 7.0
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 1st/7th Overall
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a trio of options to go to for a late-game bucket, especially if Evan Mobley continues to grow his offensive game.
We've seen Darius Garland show no fear in the moment, although Donovan Mitchell remains the team's alpha.
One of only seven players to average seven points or more in the fourth quarter last season, Mitchell is one of the rare players who can hit a step-back three, dunk over defenders in traffic and anything in between. He plays with a calmness even when things get rocky, able to settle himself and his team down before coming up with game-winning baskets.
Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: N/A
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: N/A
Kyrie Irving was arguably the best fourth-quarter player in the entire NBA last season. His 7.7 points ranked just below LaMelo Ball's 7.8 for first overall, and Irving accumulated his buckets with a far greater efficiency (49.3 percent shooting overall, 42.9 percent from three).
With Irving out for months with a torn ACL, the last shot becomes a battle between Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg and Klay Thompson.
Davis seems like the obvious choice, although he averaged just 2.6 points per game in the fourth quarter following his trade to the Dallas Mavericks. This ranked just 12th overall on the team. His strengths have never been isolation scoring or outside shooting, meaning Flagg could actually take over these clutch roles even as a rookie.
With a more well-rounded offensive game, Flagg should be getting the ball at the end of games already while Irving recovers.
Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokić
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 6.4
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 1st/16th Overall
Giving the ball to the best player on Earth at the end of games seems like a good strategy, although Jokić and Jamal Murray actually tied in fourth-quarter shot attempts last season (4.0).
To be fair, there's a lot of two-man action between Denver's stars when the team needs a basket instead of hero ball. The Nuggets ranked 26th overall in isolation frequency last season.
Of the 28 players who averaged 6.0 points or more in the fourth quarter last season, Jokić had both the second-highest field-goal percentage (57.8 percent) and three-point percentage (50.0 percent).
Although not a traditional bucket-getter, there's perhaps no player to trust more with the ball in his hands at the end of a game than Jokić.
Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 6.3
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 1st/22nd Overall
Cade Cunningham was asked to do a lot last season, especially after Jaden Ivey was sidelined with a broken leg. He was tied for second overall in fourth-quarter usage percentage (35.5 percent) and registered 8.2 points and assists in the final 12 minutes.
Even with Ivey returning and the additions of Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson, this is still the Cunningham show in Detroit.
A much-improved shooter since he entered the league, the 2021 No. 1 overall pick showed Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat what he can do at the end of games last year (and almost assuredly called bank).
Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 6.9
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 1st/8th Overall
Even with Jimmy Butler entering his first full season with the Golden State Warriors, no one is taking the ball out of Stephen Curry's hands at the end of games.
Curry was again one of the league's leading scorers in the final quarter even as he turned 37. We've been watching the two-time MVP hit game-winners since the days of standard definition, as he has put together quite the list of walk-offs.
Even though his late-game shooting numbers began to dip last season (34.9 percent from three in the fourth), there's no shooter opponents still fear more than Curry.
Houston Rockets: Kevin Durant
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 6.7
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 1st*/9th Overall
Much of what plagued the Houston Rockets during their first-round playoff loss to the Golden State Warriors was the lack of a go-to scorer in key moments.
Hello, Kevin Durant.
Although Devin Booker took more fourth-quarter shots than Durant for the Phoenix Suns last season (5.0 to 4.3), KD was the team's leading scorer thanks to his incredible efficiency (55.0 percent overall, 51.9 percent from three).
This is exactly the type of player the Rockets needed. Guys like Alperen Şengün, Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. can all contribute offensively throughout the game before letting Durant take over in the fourth.
Indiana Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 5.1
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 1st/47th Overall
The Indiana Pacers will be without Tyrese Halliburton next season due to a torn Achilles, although the All-Star point guard only ranked third on the team in fourth-quarter scoring this past season.
Surprisingly, it was Mathurin who led the Pacers despite splitting starting duties with Aaron Nesmith.
With no Haliburton, we'll likely see Andrew Nembhard move to the starting point guard position with Mathurin again entering the opening lineup. The 23-year-old could have a breakout year with some added offensive responsibility and will compete with Siakam for leading-scorer honors.
Los Angeles Clippers: Kawhi Leonard
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 6.0
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 2nd/27th Overall
Kawhi Leonard is one of the few players on this list who didn't lead his team in fourth-quarter scoring this season. That honor actually went to Norman Powell, who has since been traded to the Miami Heat in a three-team deal that landed John Collins with the Los Angeles Clippers.
James Harden has not been great at the end of games (4.3 fourth-quarter points on 42.9 percent shooting overall), which means Leonard should step into the leading role this season.
Although he prefers his game-winners with a few bounces on the rim first, Leonard's size and strength allow him to finish around and over as many as five defenders while sinking the final shot.
Los Angeles Lakers: Luka Dončić
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 5.0
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 3rd/41st Overall
LeBron James didn't get the message that this was Luka Dončić's team last season.
James actually took on a larger fourth-quarter offensive role following the All-Star break (8.5 points on 6.0 field-goal attempts, 6.6 points on 5.0 attempts before), not looking like someone who was ready to give up the crown quite yet.
Dončić didn't even take as many end-of-game shots as Austin Reaves. Expect that to change this season.
The five-time All-Star appearing to be in terrific shape should help those legs stay fresh in the fourth quarter and a new three-year, $165 million extension only helps solidify his position at the Lakers' new alpha.
James should still get his share of late-heroics (if he's not traded), although Dončić will get most of the opportunity to add to his already incredible list of buzzer beaters.
Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 5.9
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 2nd/30th Overall
Jaren Jackson Jr. was the Memphis Grizzlies' leading scorer and shot-taker in the fourth quarter last season, although this team needs a healthy and dynamic Ja Morant to take over at the end of games to reach its ceiling.
Still one of the most electric and athletic players in the NBA, the 2019 No. 2 overall pick actually shot the ball well in the final quarter (37.7 percent from three), typically not one of his strengths.
A player who excels when attacking the defense and finishing over and through bigger opponents, Morant already has a history of clutchness in his young career.
Miami Heat: Tyler Herro
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 5.8
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 2nd/35th Overall
The Miami Heat are still searching for an offensive alpha after trading Jimmy Butler, a role that's been filled by committee by Tyler Herro, Andrew Wiggins and Bam Adebayo. Trading for Norman Powell, who led the Los Angeles Clippers with 6.4 fourth quarter points on 49.4 percent shooting from three, certainly helps.
It's probably safe to assume Powell will take over as the new starting shooting guard in Miami, although Herro's six years with the Heat give him a leg up on who gets the ball at the end of games.
A three-level scorer who can get a shot off from anywhere, Herro will need to live up to his name for Miami this season to have the team in the playoff picture.
Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 6.0
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 1st/26th Overall
Losing Damian Lillard is really going to hurt the Milwaukee Bucks at the end of games, right?
Lillard wasn't actually great last season, shooting just 39.2 percent overall and 29.0 percent from three in the fourth quarter. Giannis Antetokounmpo was still the team's best go-to option, scoring his team-leading 6.0 points on 55.2 percent shooting.
With Lillard and Brook Lopez gone, Antetokounmpo is only going to see the ball in his hands more during closing time with Cole Anthony and Myles Turner in as potential starting replacements.
Antetokounmpo isn't going to wow anyone with his dribble package a la Kyrie Irving or splash step-back threes like Luka Dončić, although his combination of length and strength to finish through contact make him equally as dangerous.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 6.4
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 1st/18th Overall
No player scored more points in clutch situations last season (157) than Anthony Edwards.
A rising superstar in the NBA, there's no doubt who's getting the ball at the end of games for the Minnesota Timberwolves, as we've seen opponents regularly double Edwards in big moments in an attempt to force anyone else to take the last shot. Even with two defenders in his face, he has shown the ability to take, and make, tough shots.
One of the rare players who is equally good at shooting threes as he is at dunking over players in traffic, Edwards is always a nightmare to guard.
As he continues to develop his footwork and outside efficiency, the 24-year-old will become unstoppable.
New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 7.3
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 1st/3rd Overall
Zion Williamson is always a tough assignment for defenders and has been especially good when the game's on the line.
Ranking third overall in the NBA in fourth quarter scoring, he has also registered the fourth-highest usage rate (35.1 percent) and is the only player in the top-40 scorers to shoot better than 60 percent from the field.
Injuries have obviously been a huge concern, but there's a reason the New Orleans Pelicans haven't given up on the 2019 No. 1 overall pick to this point.
After trading CJ McCollum and now waiting for Dejounte Murray to return from a torn Achilles, even more weight will be on Williamson's shoulders this season.
New York Knicks: Jalen Brunson
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 6.4
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 1st/20th Overall
The 2024-25 NBA Clutch Player of the Year, Jalen Brunson was fantastic at the end of close games last season.
The two-time All-Star scored his 156 clutch points (only one behind Anthony Edwards for most in the NBA) on an impressive 51.5 percent shooting from the field and connected on 42 of his 50 free throws (84.0 percent).
A master of spacial awareness, getting defenders on his hip and knowing the right time to pull up for a jumper and/or initiate contact, Brunson has become a stone-cold killer and arguably the most reliable player at the end of games in the entire NBA.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 6.5
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 2nd/15th Overall
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the NBA in scoring (32.7 points per game) but not leading his own team in fourth-quarter scoring is a little surprising, as Jalen Williams (6.6 points) barely eclipsed him.
Of course, this has more to do with the Oklahoma City Thunder regularly building comfortable leads in the final quarter more than it does with Gilgeous-Alexander's lack of scoring (although he still finished 15th in the league).
His 7.0 minutes in the fourth quarter were the fewest of any of the top-45 scorers, which hints at the Thunder's success.
Perhaps the best driver in the NBA today, Gilgeous-Alexander is a master of getting to his spots and initiating contact when the opportunity presents itself.
Orlando Magic: Franz Wagner
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 6.7
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 1st/10th Overall
Although leading the Orlando Magic with 25.9 points per game last season, Paolo Banchero has played second fiddle to Franz Wagner in the fourth quarter in all three years as teammates.
A strong argument should be made for the ball to be firmly placed in the All-Star power forward's hands, although history tells us Wagner is more often than not going to get the last shot.
The 23-year-old needs to improve his three-point shooting (28.9 percent over the last two seasons), although his handles and height give him the opportunity to get a shot off against any defensive coverage. We've seen him hit threes in some of the game's biggest moments as well.
Philadelphia 76ers: Tyrese Maxey
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 7.1
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 1st/6th Overall
With apologies to former MVP Joel Embiid and nine-time All-Star Paul George, this is Tyrese Maxey's team in Philadelphia now.
The Sixers' star guard averaged more fourth-quarter points than players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Donovan Mitchell, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and others and has showcased in the toughest environments that no moment is too big.
With Embiid and George likely limited again this season, Maxey is the key for Philly returning to the playoffs.
Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 6.6
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 1st/12th Overall
Devin Booker already led the Phoenix Suns in fourth-quarter scoring last season.
With Kevin Durant traded to the Houston Rockets and Bradley Beal signing with the Los Angeles Clippers following his buyout from the Suns, Booker is only going to receive more of an offensive role.
Jalen Green may wind up being the second-leading scorer in Phoenix but was nowhere to be found in the playoffs when the Rockets needed him the most. Dillon Brooks and Grayson Allen aren't offensive focal points, either.
This is the Booker show in Phoenix, for better or worse. We've seen moments of brilliance, but every opponent is going to double Booker at the end of games now and force someone else to take the last shot.
Portland Trail Blazers: Deni Avdija
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 3.7
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 3rd/109th Overall
Of all 30 NBA teams, this is the hardest one to predict where the last shot is coming from.
Anfernee Simons led the Portland Trail Blazers in fourth-quarter scoring last season (6.2) yet was traded to the Boston Celtics for Jrue Holiday. The second-leading scorer, Shaedon Sharpe, may not even start for Portland this season. Damian Lillard is projected to miss the campaign with a torn Achilles.
Players like Holiday, Scoot Henderson and Jerami Grant could all make a case, but the safe pick is Deni Avdija.
The 24-year-old became a full-time member of the starting lineup after Christmas and was arguably the team's best player last season with his scoring, rebounding, passing and defense.
There's probably hope in Portland that a younger talent like Henderson or Sharpe will grow into an All-Star and go-to scoring option, although Avdija should get the ball in the biggest moments for now.
Sacramento Kings: Zach LaVine
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 6.7
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: Tied-1st/11th Overall
Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan (6.5 average fourth-quarter points) will likely share duties down the stretches of games, although the former was actually quite good following his trade to the Sacramento Kings.
LaVine's 6.7 points in the final quarter came on a super-efficient 52.3 percent shooting from three, far greater than DeRozan's 32.1 percent mark. While DeRozan is more of a predictable mid-range scorer, LaVine is effective from all three levels.
The Kings have a weird (yet talented) mix of players on their roster following the De'Aaron Fox trade, yet they have a pair of reliable late-game options to turn to.
San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 5.4
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 1st/37th Overall
Victor Wembanyama is the obvious answer to almost anything and everything related to the San Antonio Spurs, although this franchise has a number of options it can turn to.
De'Aaron Fox won the NBA's inaugural Clutch Player of the Year in 2022-23 and averaged 6.7 fourth-quarter points on 39.4 percent shooting from three for the Sacramento Kings prior to the trade last season.
No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper is going to be really good at creating his own offense at the next level while Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell can get buckets as well.
The ball should go through Wembanyama at the end of games (and every other time, really), but he has plenty of quality options to pass to as well.
Toronto Raptors: Scottie Barnes
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 4.8
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: Tied-1st/54th Overall
We have no idea how this new-look Toronto Raptors core will all mesh together, as Brandon Ingram didn't play a game due to injury following his trade over from the New Orleans Pelicans.
RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes tied with a modest 4.8 fourth-quarter points per game, although the addition of Ingram may cut these numbers down. A healthy season from Immanuel Quickley will factor in as well.
For now, Barnes is still the face of the franchise, even if he's not a traditional bucket-getter. His strengths lie in his versatility, which includes a lot of creative passing.
This offensive pecking order will be interesting to watch as the 2025-26 season progresses.
Utah Jazz: Lauri Markkanen
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 4.3
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: 5th/76th Overall
Despite being the leading scorer for the Utah Jazz last season, Lauri Markkanen somehow only ended up as the team's fifth-highest scorer in the fourth quarter. It's almost like this team wasn't trying to win games…
The Jazz may have no choice but to play Markkanen at the end of games, as three of the four scorers above him (Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton and John Collins) have all since been bought out or traded. Only Keyonte George remains.
A Markkanen trade at some point seems inevitable, and the organization would likely prefer Ace Bailey to take over in a starring role.
For now, though, Markkanen is by far the best player on this roster and should be getting the final shot.
Washington Wizards: CJ McCollum
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2024-25 4th Quarter PPG: 5.9
2024-25 Team/NBA Rank: N/A/31st Overall
There's no easy answer for the Washington Wizards right now, as a number of players may be tasked with taking the last shot as the season goes along.
CJ McCollum is the most likely recipient for now, as he averaged 5.9 points and shot 41.7 percent from three for the New Orleans Pelicans in fourth quarters last season. Unfortunately, he'll likely be benched at the end of games moving forward as players such as Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly and Alex Sarr get more reps.
The Wizards aren't going to actively try to win games next year, and that's OK. The 2025-26 season is more about development while trying to land the No. 1 pick next year before opening up max cap space in the summer of 2026.
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