Angelica Ciulla • April 06, 2026 10:40 AM EDT

Why Shai?

As we wind down the 2025-2026 season, the NBA likes to push MVP narratives throughout the media. The MVP is a title given to honor the athlete who is a huge contributing factor to his team’s success, providing leadership, elite stats, and consistency in every game. This is why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been such a comfortable MVP pick for most of this season. Shai is averaging 31 points per game, 6.5 assists, and 55% shooting, all while the Oklahoma City Thunder hold a 62-16 record this season, in 1st in the Western Conference. Looking at these stats, you would think he’s a shoo-in for the MVP award. The real question isn’t if Shai has had a great season; there’s no doubt that he has, but is he really the most valuable player? That’s where the evidence of his case falls apart. 

A huge portion of Shai’s scoring comes from free throws. He averages about 8 points from the free throw line per game, meaning about 26% of his scoring comes from free throws. That plays a huge role in his stats, especially when you consider his playing style, which forces defenders to sweat out every light contact in fear it’ll be a whistle. Here’s where my real issue comes in.

People commonly think, “Only 26% of his points are free throws, so the rest still count,” and yes, that is true; however, when a scorer gets a whistle that often, it changes how defenders are able to play against him. Defenders are not going to pressure him aggressively, challenge as often, or contest as hard, knowing there’s a good chance they’re going to get called for a foul, so no one is bodying up Shai nearly as much as other shooters. Once that presence is set in the game, the floor is open. In other words, the amount of fouls he gets in his favor leads to making the other points easier to get. Don’t get me wrong, that is great, legal basketball and an intimidation tactic that will always work, but is this what the MVP is all about?

On the other hand, Jaylen Brown has carried a much heavier burden, making him a stronger contender for the MVP. Jaylen is averaging 28.7 points per game with 5.2 assists and 47% shooting, leading his team to be 2nd in the Eastern Conference. Jayson Tatum has only played 13 games this season due to an Achilles tear he suffered in the 2024-2025 playoffs, so the Celtics weren’t their usual “stacked” team. In the preseason, the Celtics were projected to take a huge dip and miss the playoffs, but Jaylen Brown put the team on his back and led them all the way to being 2nd in the East and heading to the playoffs once again. Jaylen Brown had to take on a leadership role and become what the organization needed. When they fell, he picked them up. That is the real value of the MVP.

Another strong contender is Victor Wembanyama. Wemby is averaging 24.9 points per game with 3.1 assists and 50.9% shooting, leading his team to be 2nd in the Western Conference. Up until recently, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was winning the MVP race, but that has recently changed as Victor Wembanyama has pulled ahead. Wemby isn’t just about stats; he has changed the game on both sides of the court. His ability to protect the rim, score efficiently, rebound, and his impressive mobility at his size makes him a rarity. He won the Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month for March and is the main reason why the Spurs are in as good a playoff position as they are. He has completely turned that team around and put forth great effort every time he steps on that court, making his case for MVP.

The MVP isn’t just about who has the best stats. It’s about who has the leadership, impact, and ability to carry their team when it matters most, and personally, I don’t think Shai is the answer to that. Shai does deserve credit for all the greatness he has brought to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but Jaylen Brown and Victor Wembanyama fit the MVP profile better. Too many people see 31 points per game and 1st place team and stop there in the conversation. No one talks about the effects foul-heavy scoring can have on the game by changing the defensive behaviors or how players like Jaylen Brown and Victor Wembanyama have carried their teams in completely different ways than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. If the MVP is really about value, like they claim, Brown and Wemby deserve respect and praise. So, I ask again: Why Shai?

Edited by

Angelica Ciulla

NBA Finals 2025: Game 7 Preview: A Clash for the Ages

It all comes down to this — Game 7 of the NBA 2025 Finals is upon us. After a hard-fought series between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, both teams are just one win away from securing the championship. We’ve witnessed standout performances, missed opportunities, and momentum swings that have made this Finals series one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.

In Game 6, the Pacers delivered their most cohesive performance since Game 1, executing on both ends of the court with impressive chemistry. Indiana capitalized on Oklahoma City’s sloppy ball handling, turning turnovers into critical points that shifted the game’s momentum. On the other hand, Game 5 told a different story, with OKC dominating Indiana, a game in which Pacers’ star Tyrese Haliburton was held scoreless until the third quarter and failed to make an impact in the fourth.

For Game 7, both teams will need key players to rise to the occasion. Indiana forward Aaron Nesmith, who averages 43% in 3pt shooting and 50% in Field goals during the regular season, has averaged just 10.5 points per game in the playoffs. If the Pacers hope to silence the crowd at Paycom Center and walk away with the trophy, they’ll need Nesmith to find his rhythm.

On the Thunder’s side, small forward Jalen Williams exploded in Game 5 with a career playoff high of 40 points, but faltered in Game 6, putting up only 16 points and recording the lowest plus-minus in NBA Finals history. OKC will need him to bounce back strong if they want to finish what they started.

Defensively, both teams have brought intensity, applying pressure in the paint, forcing turnovers, and disrupting offensive flow. However, the series has also been plagued by unforced errors: traveling violations, double dribbles, missed rebounds, and poor passes have all contributed to unpredictable shifts in momentum.

This has also been one of the most foul-heavy Finals in recent history. With 207 fouls called through six games, including a staggering 53 in Game 4 alone, which led to 71 free throw attempts, officiating and composure at the line may once again play a major role in deciding the outcome.

Looking ahead to Sunday, expect both teams to come out firing. The stakes are at their peak, and fans should be prepared for a high-energy battle filled with aggressive defense, clutch performances, and, if the series trend continues, plenty of whistles.

Game 7 promises to be a memorable finish to a wild and unpredictable series, and NBA fans everywhere are in for a treat.

Edited by

Angelica Ciulla

Pacers Outlast Knicks in Overtime Thriller to Take Game 1

Just when it seemed the Conference Finals couldn’t get any more intense, the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers delivered a Game 1 showdown that lived up to every bit of the hype.

Despite not reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years, the Knicks came to play. The game remained tightly contested through three quarters before the Knicks pulled ahead in the fourth, leading by 14 points with just three minutes remaining.

That’s when Aaron Nesmith caught fire, draining six three-pointers in the final five minutes. His clutch shooting brought the Pacers within striking distance. With the Knicks clinging to a two-point lead, Tyrese Haliburton launched a deep three that banked in, but replays revealed his toe was on the line. The bucket tied the game instead of giving Indiana the lead. Unaware, Haliburton celebrated with Reggie Miller’s infamous “choke” gesture, adding fuel to the drama.

Overtime brought more fireworks. Both teams traded buckets in a high-stakes back-and-forth. With 18.9 seconds left and the Knicks down by one, Jalen Brunson turned the ball over after a deflection originally ruled on Andrew Nembhard but overturned upon review.

From there, chaos turned into brilliance.

Everyone expected the Knicks to foul quickly, but the Pacers had other plans. Andrew Nembhard inbounded to Obi Toppin, then took the ball back as a decoy. As the Knicks swarmed Nembhard to foul, he passed back to Toppin, who was left wide open for a momentum-shifting dunk. Pacers led 138–135 with 15.3 seconds left.

The Knicks scrambled to answer. Brunson, guarded tightly by Nembhard, missed a three. Josh Hart grabbed the rebound and dished it to Karl-Anthony Towns, who also missed from deep. A mad scramble ensued, ending with Mikal Bridges knocking the ball out of bounds. Pacers ball, 0.2 seconds on the clock.

In a bizarre final twist, Haliburton inbounded the ball to Towns, giving the Knicks one last miracle chance. But Towns’ last-second attempt missed, sealing a dramatic Game 1 victory for Indiana.

If this is the energy Game 1 brought, the rest of the series promises to be unforgettable.

Edited by

Angelica Ciulla

Tatum’s Injury Derails Celtics’ Hopes: Achilles Tear Ends Superstar’s Season

Tragedy struck in Madison Square Garden last night in the fourth game of the Knicks and Celtics’ Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series. Superstar power forward Jayson Tatum was having quite the night, scoring 42 points, while also playing some of the best defense we’ve ever seen from him.

Through the third and fourth quarters, the Celtics and the Knicks were trading 3’s in a shootout battle. That was until disaster unfolded when Jayson Tatum suffered a non-contact injury late in the fourth quarter. It appears that Tatum may have suffered a potential Achilles tear, which would leave him out for the rest of the playoffs and most of the 2025-2026 season. 

As Tatum was assisted off the court, Karl-Anthony Towns and other players of both the Knicks and Celtics applauded him, showing their respects. Tatum was later seen being taken to the locker room in a wheelchair, visibly in pain.

In his post-game press conference, Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson took a moment to give his prayers and condolences to Jayson Tatum. Shortly after, a wave of support poured in through social media from several other members of the NBA, offering prayers and condolences to Tatum, such as Lebron James and ex-Celtics’ guard Isaiah Thomas. 

It is hard to tell what this means for the rest of the Celtics’ season and how this will affect next season. What we do know is players like Jaylen Brown and Derrick White will be left to step it up while Tatum is recovering from this catastrophe.

Edited by

Angelica Ciulla

Kawhi Leonard’s Heating Up

Kawhi Leonard is back on top after seeming to have a rough couple of seasons. Kawhi Leonard was once a superstar NBA player due to his ability to be dominant on both sides of the court and versatility that came so naturally he made it look easy. After a series of knee injuries, his career seemed to take a back seat and be less evident in the eyes of the NBA. That was until this 2 time MVP shocked the league with his recent performance.

Kawhi Leonard did the implausible by leading his team to victory against the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokic. How did he do it? Kawhi Leonard pulled out a series of jump shots, intense defense, 3-pt shooting, and ball handling capabilities we haven’t seen from  him since the 2021, his last fully healthy post-season series.  

At the end of the recent Playoff game between the Clippers v. Nuggets we see Kawhi Leonard defending Nikola Jokic in what seems to be a possible mismatch on the court. Down by 3, Nikola Jokic shoots the ball in a desperate attempt to tie the game when Kawhi Leonard attempts to block the shot. This was enough to distract Nikola leading to a miss and loss for the Denver Nuggets. 

The exceptional defensive performance, combined with the 39 pts. Kawhi Leonard was able to score on offense, gives the LA Clippers the hope they have been searching for with a chance at an NBA Championship for the 1st time ever. The astonishing win ties the series 1-1 as we are on the edge of our seats with anticipation on who will progress down the path of the NBA Playoffs.

Edited by

Angelica Ciulla

Miami Heat Falls Short Again

 After losing 7 games in a row including 5 home games, you have to wonder what is a team like the Miami Heat missing? 

Despite having key players like Tyler Hero, Bam Adebayo, and Andrew Wiggins, the Heat still falls short when it comes to facing playoff eligible teams. 

The Miami Heat has shown to produce high quality defense against teams like the Celtics and Timberwolves; however, they fall short in PPG % compared to other playoff contending teams. 

Players such as Andrew Wiggins and Tyler Hero need to be in the 28 PPG range along with Bam Adebayo in the mid 25 PPG range. Currently Tyler Hero, Bam Adebayo, and Andrew Wiggins are all in the 17-19 PPG range leading the Miami Heat to fall short when playing teams such like the Celtics, OKC, and the Lakers, who are featuring players scoring 28-40 points per game.

Edited by

Angelica Ciulla