Story perspectives

Shams Charania leaks Gilgeous-Alexander MVP before NBA broadcast

5/19/2026

Summary

Shams Leaks MVP

ESPN’s Shams Charania announced Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as NBA MVP hours before the league’s official announcement, preempting Amazon Prime Video’s Game 7 pre-game reveal.
Prime Video’s studio crew rebuked Charania for breaking their exclusive, prompting Blake Griffin to joke about brunch.
The NBA’s MVP vote uses hundreds of media ballots weeks early and remains confidential until broadcast.
Analysts say the insider-scooping cycle will continue without NBA pressure.

Summary

Shai Wins MVP

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander became the 14th player to win back-to-back NBA MVP awards, joining Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Steve Nash.
He captured 83 of 100 first-place votes, earned 939 points—the season’s highest—and posted 31.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.6 assists per game while shooting 55.3 %.
His play propelled the Oklahoma City Thunder to the league’s best record and secured a contract extension through 2031.

History

Historical Context

In 1961 Bill Russell became the NBA’s first player to win MVP in consecutive seasons, capturing 78 of 80 first-place votes under the award that began in 1955-56. That dominant voting set a precedent for vote secrecy, which the league tightened after ESPN’s Shams Charania leaked Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 2024 MVP selection. The contrast shows how early leaks can sway perception and drive new confidentiality rules.

1 of 3

Shams Leaks MVP

ESPN’s Shams Charania announced Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as NBA MVP hours before the league’s official announcement, preempting Amazon Prime Video’s Game 7 pre-game reveal.
Prime Video’s studio crew rebuked Charania for breaking their exclusive, prompting Blake Griffin to joke about brunch.
The NBA’s MVP vote uses hundreds of media ballots weeks early and remains confidential until broadcast.
Analysts say the insider-scooping cycle will continue without NBA pressure.

1 / 3