On Sunday morning, ESPN’s senior NBA insider Shams Charania broke the news that Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would be announced as the 2025-26 NBA MVP. Many NBA fans and analysts were annoyed that Charania leaked the news, which was slated to be announced later in the day on Prime Video’s studio show.
During the MVP announcement, former NBA star Blake Griffin even called out Charania: “What are we doing? Like, it’s Sunday, Shams. Go to brunch, you nerd.” On Monday, Charania responded to the critics and explained why he reported the news.
Shams Charania Responds to Criticism from NBA World, Blake Griffin
On Monday, Charania appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” and explained why he reported the news hours before it was set to be announced.
“Part of me is like, ‘What are we talking about here?’ … When I get news, when I get information, if I’ve vetted it, like I did late Saturday night, early Sunday morning, when I have news 100%, no matter how big, no matter how small, [I’m going to report it]…” Charania explained.
“This is a massive story, and my job is to report the news, and so that’s all I focus on. That’s what I wake up thinking about. That’s what I go to sleep thinking about. I feel the responsibility.”
“When I have big news I’m gonna report it..
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander winning back to back MVPs is a massive story..
My job is to report the news and that’s my responsibility” ~ @ShamsCharania #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/aAskqSJNda
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 18, 2026
Unsurprisingly, Charania did not offer any resemblance of an apology for ruining the reveal. His job is to report news, and he did just that — correctly. He also has no allegiance to Amazon Prime Video or the NBA.
It’s understandable why the NBA world was a bit frustrated, as everyone waited five weeks after the regular season ended for the MVP announcement only to find out over X. Even though it we all knew Gilgeous-Alexander was the likely winner, it still ruined the suspense.
The Oklahoma City Thunder superstar became the 14th player in league history to take home the prestigious honor in back-to-back seasons. The accomplishments certainly do not stop there. Gilgeous-Alexander is the first guard to win two straight MVPs since Stephen Curry in 2014-15 and 2015-16.
The 27-year-old also became the first guard in NBA history to average at least 30 points per game and shoot over 55% from the field. He reached the 20-point mark in every game this season, joining Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor as the only players to achieve this feat. Gilgeous-Alexander continues to etch his name in NBA history and shows no signs of slowing down.
Charania also doesn’t show any signs of changing his approach. He ended his comments with a message for his critics.
“This isn’t the first time necessarily, but it’s not going to be the last time where I’m just going to try to do my job to the best of my ability,” said Charania, confidently.
Pat McAfee sided with the insider after his comments, saying, “We’re proud of you, Shams. Keep working, Shams.”
