One of the pieces required in vying for an NBA championship is a spark-plug off the bench. When a team deals with slow starts and offensive struggles, a scorer off the bench provides the antidote more often than not.

In the early stages of the season, although the stars came out to play, some guys off the bench have taken over the spotlight. Although pure scorers aren’t stars themselves, however, their ability to get buckets gives them a chance to steal the show. But more importantly, they provide that much-needed shot in the arm for a team to secure the win.

Let's take a look at 5 bench players who have thrived for their respective clubs so far in the 2021/22 NBA season.

Dennis Schröder

Season stats: 17.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 43.5 FG%,  33.9 3P%

Dennis Schröder had a rough offseason. After a disappointing stint with the Lakers, the German standout tested NBA free agency by declining an extension worth $84 million. As we all know, Schröder would settle with the Celtics by agreeing to a $5.9 million offer.

While Schröder did forego a lot of money, that could change in the next offseason by putting up good performances with the Boston Celtics off the bench so far. In fact, with his scoring outbursts, Schröder is making a case to be the squad’s starting guard. His best game came in his sixth start of the season where he dropped a season-high 38 points and grabbed eight rebounds against the reigning NBA champions in the Bucks.

Although the Celtics are struggling as of late, as they hold a 7-7 record, Schröder has been one of their bright spots offensively. As a deadly scorer one-on-one, Schröder uses his speed and length to drive past defenders into the cup. With his performances as of late, the Celtics might’ve finally found someone who could man the guard position after the departure of the likes of All-Star guards Rajon Rondo, Isaiah Thomas, and Kyrie Irving. Because of this, he places fifth in this list.

Patty Mills

Season stats: 10.4 points, 1.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 41.3 FG%, 48.1 3P%

Aside from the Lakers, another star-studded squad is the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets haven’t had an ideal start to the season, especially with Kyrie Irving’s COVID vaccination status unlikely to change. However, they’ve certainly bounced back as they currently hold a 10-4 record, winning their last three games. And one of their key players has been the streaky shooting of Patty Mills.

Mills gives the Nets a formidable shooter off the bench, and he proved that in their last game against the Thunder. In their 120-96 blowout win, Mills put up a shooting clinic. He scored 29 points off the bench, and could hardly miss. The Australian guard shot nine of 12 from rainbow country.

While Mills caught himself in a shooting slump before that night, there was no better way for him to re-discover his touch. After his shooting masterclass, there’s no doubt that it only reminded us that the Nets are deep enough to win an NBA championship, even without Kyrie Irving. Because of this, Mills places fourth in this list.

Carmelo Anthony

Season stats: 16.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 47.3 FG%, 47.3 3P%

The Los Angeles Lakers have been trying to figure out things as of late. They are dealing with Russell Westbrook’s fit and LeBron James’ abdomen injury. However, amidst all the chaos in LA LA Land, one of their silver linings has been the deadeye shooting of Carmelo Anthony.

The 10-time NBA All-Star has provided instant offense for the Lakers. Because of his hot-shooting off the bench, Melo has actually helped the team win some games amidst their struggles. Therefore, he deserves to be third in this list.

Melo has put on a shooting clinic by making 47.3% of his threes, which is good for fifth in the league. His best game came against the Hornets, where he dropped 29 points, which was spiked by seven threes on a 70% clip.

But more importantly, Melo also climbed up the NBA All-Time scoring list earlier into the season. He passed Moses Malone to secure the ninth spot in the Lakers’ first victory of the season at the expense of the Grizzlies. Melo registered 28 points that game, including some timely three-pointers that allowed the squad to escape with the win. If it weren’t for him, there’s no doubt the Lakers would’ve been in a deeper hole than where they are now.

Tyler Herro

Season stats: 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 45.8 FG%, 37.4 3P%

The Miami Heat made a lot of buzz by landing Kyle Lowry during the offseason. With Lowry’s arrival, the squad is vying for a championship by forming a Big Three of their own in Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Lowry. However, aside from their Big Three, their early success is the re-emergence of Tyler Herro.

After a sophomore slump, Herro is showing us flashes of his NBA bubble run back in 2020 where he broke various playoff records as a rookie. Now in his third season, Herro is looking to elevate his game, especially after claiming that he should be in the same conversation as young rising superstars like Luka Doncic, Trae Young, and Ja Morant.

While his claim drew some mixed reactions, Herro is putting together a strong season. In a role coming off the bench, Herro is providing the Heat some much-needed scoring. At 21.5 points per game, there’s no doubt he could potentially be in the running for the Sixth Man of the Year Award. But more importantly, he has also helped Miami hold a respectable 9-5 win-loss card, which is good for fourth in the East.

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Heat's Tyler Herro

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In the middle, recent in-game photos of Erik Spoelstra and Joe Mazzulla. Have Spoelstra smiling/celebrating and Mazzulla looking upset. Behind Mazzulla, recent in-game photos of Jayson Tatum and Derrick White, looking frustrated/upset. Behind Spoelstra, recent in-game photos of Tyler Herro and Caleb Martin celebrating/ smiling/clapping.

Jack Winter ·

Herro’s best game came against the Pacers. In the loss, he dropped a season-high 30 points to go alongside with 10 rebounds. As a dynamic scorer, Herro adds more youth and depth to a squad that is settling for nothing less than an NBA championship. And with him putting together arguably his best season yet, it won’t be a surprise if the Heat takes the crown this time around. As a result, Herro ranks second in this list.

Jordan Clarkson

Season stats: 15.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 35.6 FG%, 24.2 3P%

Jordan Clarkson captured the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award last season, and it looks like he isn’t done. Although his shooting percentages haven’t been ideal, Clarkson is still the walking bucket the Utah Jazz have relied on.

Clarkson’s scoring has been lethal for the Jazz. While Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert are the stars of the team, it’s Clarkson who torments the defenses of the second units of opposing teams. His best performance came in a 116-98 blowout win over the Hawks. Clarkson exploded for 30 points coming off the bench, spiked by four shots from beyond the arc.

Not a lot of players coming off the bench can score that much. In fact, Clarkson recently made achieved a string of milestones that prove his arguably the best Sixth Man in the league today. First off, he reached 8,000 points in his NBA career after registering 19 points in a 122-110 victory over the Nuggets.

Aside from this, Clarkson also made history by putting together a 99-game streak with at least a three-point shot made, and 94 games as a bench player. His 99-game streak surpassed Warriors hot-shooting star Klay Thompson who went to make at least a three-pointer in 95 games.

With all these milestones, it won’t be a surprise if Clarkson makes it two years in a row to take home the Sixth man of the Year Award. And with his ability to answer the call for the Jazz to provide instant offense, Clarkson is easily the top pick of this list.