Shams Charania Responds to Backlash Over NBA MVP Announcement

The NBA officially announced Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the 2025-26 MVP winner before a Game 7 matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons on Amazon Prime Video Sunday night.

But hours earlier, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania spoiled the league’s official announcement by sharing the news on social media.

“Breaking: Oklahoma City Thunder‘s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has won his second consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player award, becoming the 14th player in league history to win back-to-back MVPs, multiple sources tell ESPN,” Charania reported on Sunday morning.

The NBA on Prime crew called Charania out on Sunday night.

"Just to be clear, the official announcement is happening here," studio host Taylor Rooks said. "Dirk [Nowitzki] and Steve [Nash], you all both won MVPs, but I don't remember Shams spoiling it way back then."

"It's Sunday, Shams," analyst Blake Griffin added. "Go to brunch, you nerd. Come on.”

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Charania responded to this backlash during an appearance with “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday.

“This is a massive story. When I get it, I vet it. My job is to report the news, that’s all I focus on,” Charania said. “I’m just going to try to do my job to the best of my ability.”

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Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder will face off against the San Antonio Spurs in a highly-anticipated Western Conference Finals series, beginning with Game 1 on Monday night.

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This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 12:23 PM.