All articles tagged with #nba mvp
A media dispute erupts after ESPN insider Shams Charania prematurely names Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the 2025-26 NBA MVP, upstaging Prime Video’s official announcement. The piece argues that reporting the scoop is fair game and underscores the value and challenges of insider information, even as broadcasters and fans weigh the impact of spoilers on timing and reactions.
The piece defends ESPN’s Shams Charania for breaking the 2025–26 NBA MVP news ahead of Prime Video’s planned reveal, arguing that breaking-news dynamics have evolved and that criticism misses the point, while also highlighting a carousel of other recent sports-media moments—ranging from Bill Belichick’s coffee quip to Shaquille O’Neal’s LSU master’s degree and various SI Media features.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander earned his second straight MVP, but Victor Wembanyama’s electrifying late-season surge and playoff impact have sparked questions about who is the league’s best. Since Feb. 1, the Spurs went 28-2 with Wembanyama and posted an elite net rating, a trend that has continued in the playoffs as San Antonio dominates when he plays. While some observers praise Wembanyama’s defense, shot-making, and growth as a playmaker, others—including executives and players cited in the piece—say he’s the most impactful prospect the league has seen, yet still not universally deemed the top player ahead of an established star like SGA. The story frames this as a potential turning point for the NBA hierarchy, even if the MVP award has been settled for now.}{
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won the NBA MVP for the second straight year with 83 first-place votes, guiding the Oklahoma City Thunder to a league-best 64-18 even without Jalen Williams for most of the season; Victor Wembanyama finished second and Nikola Jokic third after another triple-double season.
The article reports Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is set to win the 2025-26 MVP per Shams Charania, but argues Victor Wembanyama has had a greater, game-changing impact all season and is using the snub as motivation ahead of the Spurs-OKC playoff series.
ESPN reports Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is set to win the NBA MVP for a second straight season, making him the 14th player to claim back-to-back MVP honors and the first guard to do so since Stephen Curry. The 27-year-old averaged 31.1 points, 6.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 68 regular-season games, signed a four-year, $273.3 million extension, and is poised to lead OKC into the Western Conference final against the Spurs as the team pursues consecutive titles.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won the 2025-26 NBA MVP, his second straight award and making him the 14th player to win back-to-back MVP honors. He averaged 31.1 points per game (second in the league behind Luka Dončić) and became the first guard ever to average 30+ points on 55% shooting in a season, finishing with 2,117 points. Jokic and Wembanyama were finalists. OKC remains in title contention as they eye a Western Conference finals showdown with San Antonio.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is reported to have won the 2025-26 NBA MVP, becoming the first back-to-back winner since Nikola Jokic, after guiding the Oklahoma City Thunder to a league-best 64-18 record despite losing star forward Jalen Williams for much of the season. He averaged 31.1 points on a career-best 55.3% shooting, with eight 40-point games including a season-high 55 in a double-overtime win over the Pacers. Wembanyama finished second and earned Defensive Player of the Year as the Spurs went 62-20, while Jokic posted a near-triple-double and became the first player to lead the league in rebounds and assists. The Thunder now eye a championship run.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is viewed as the MVP front-runner by NBA peers in a The Athletic poll, with 39% backing him over Nikola Jokic (21.4%) and Victor Wembanyama (5%). He averages 31.1 points on 55.3% shooting with 6.6 assists, helping the Thunder post elite defensive ratings and an .800 winning percentage, while his scoring streaks and consistency bolster support. Betting odds align with the peers’ view, and a title would make him only the 14th MVP in league history.
The Athletic’s 2026 Anonymous NBA Player Poll shows Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the MVP frontrunner, with Nikola Jokic a strong second and Luka Dončić also in the mix; Victor Wembanyama did not crack the top five. SGA is averaging 31.1 PPG for a Thunder team with the league’s best defense, while Jokic sits at 27.8 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 10.9 APG. If SGA wins, he would be the first back-to-back MVP winner since Jokic in 2021–22.
Cade Cunningham suffered a collapsed lung after a rib collision, forcing him home and delaying his return as he is reevaluated in two weeks. Because MVP eligibility hinges on playing a minimum number of games (with a minutes component), his absence could push him off the ballot despite Detroit's strong season, especially with only about six regular-season games left and a looming playoff push.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has signed a four-year, $285 million extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder, making it the highest annual salary in NBA history. The MVP and NBA Finals MVP in the same season, Gilgeous-Alexander has become a key figure for the Thunder, leading them through a successful rebuild and achieving historic individual accomplishments during their championship run.
Joel Embiid's dominant performances have made him the new favorite for the NBA MVP title, according to DraftKings. With impressive stats including a career-high 35.1 points per game, Embiid has been unstoppable on both ends of the court. In a recent straw poll conducted by ESPN, Embiid received 63 out of 100 first-place votes, solidifying his frontrunner status. However, it's still early in the season, and there are other strong contenders for the MVP title.
Joel Embiid seemingly takes a shot at Nikola Jokic's defense and questions the use of analytics in determining the NBA MVP award. Embiid is currently the favorite to win the award this season, but he expresses frustration with the changing criteria and the perception that he is not well-liked. The Philadelphia 76ers star also deflects pressure onto other players and suggests that two-time MVPs who haven't won anything should face more scrutiny.
Joel Embiid appears to take a shot at Nikola Jokic's defense and questions the use of analytics in determining the NBA MVP award. Embiid is currently the favorite to win the award this season, but he expresses frustration with the changing criteria and the perceived lack of respect he receives. The Philadelphia 76ers star also deflects pressure onto other players and admits to feeling disliked. The two players' teams are set to face off, but Embiid is listed as doubtful for the game.