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6 days ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Ashmit Kumar |Tanay Sahai
“If he wins tonight and gets the MVP, he will have a Hall of Fame resume… end of story, at age 26,” declared ESPN’s Brian Windhorst before Game 6 of the NBA Finals. And while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t seal the deal that night, his legacy might already be written in bold. One more win, one more masterclass, and he could join an elite club—becoming just the 9th player in NBA history to win both the regular season MVP and the Finals MVP.
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6 days ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Ashmit Kumar |Tanay Sahai
“One game. Winner takes all. Give it your best shot. Bring your ‘A’ game. I don’t try to complicate it,” said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ahead of what might be the biggest night of his career. After nearly eight grueling months of basketball—injuries, buzzer-beaters, heartbreaks, and triumphs—it all comes down to this: Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The league hasn’t seen a Finals Game 7 since that iconic 2016 showdown, which only heightens the magnitude of the moment.
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6 days ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Ashmit Kumar |Tanay Sahai
Have you ever seen how the interests of NBA players lead them to become professionals in something more than basketball? Stephen Curry has won a title in Golf, Shaquille O’Neal’s career as a DJ/Rapper keeps him in the spotlight, and Kobe Bryant won an Oscar. Meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama adopted a more mentally challenging pursuit: Chess. This is the same player who once showed up at a public park in New York, asking fans to play chess.
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1 week ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Ashmit Kumar |Tanay Sahai
Anyone else woke up this morning thinking that, by the end of the day, they would get to see the Oklahoma City Thunder squad lift their first NBA championship trophy since 1979, when they were called the Seattle Supersonics? If you did, then the Indiana Pacers, especially Tyrese Haliburton, did their part to not manifest that belief into reality. With the Pacers now having won Game 6, the Finals series goes to Game 7 for the first time since 2016.
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1 week ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Ashmit Kumar |Tanay Sahai
In Game 4 of the NBA Finals, a tense moment unfolded as Chet Holmgren hit the floor, grimacing and clutching his ankle. But right then, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander knelt beside him, urging, “You OK? C’mon man. We need you. Get up.” Whatever SGA said clearly worked—Holmgren shook it off and clocked in 37 minutes despite the scare. Fast forward to the eve of Game 6, and fans worried about the young big man’s status finally got reassurance.
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1 week ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Rohan Bhaunt |Tanay Sahai
“With the first pick in the 2025 NBA draft, the Dallas Mavericks select Cooper Flagg.” It’s not a prediction, it’s a spoiler. Seven days from now, Adam Silver will stand on the podium and make this announcement. Every signal has been hinting toward it ever since Nico Harrison and Co. won the lottery. And it became even more evident with Flagg’s latest visit to Dallas. Yes, the Duke star made his official visit to the city on Tuesday.
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1 week ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Ashmit Kumar |Tanay Sahai
With Anthony Davis shipped to Dallas in the blockbuster Luka Doncic trade and the Lakers pulling out of a deal for Mark Williams, Jaxson Hayes was suddenly thrust into a role he wasn’t quite ready for — starting center. And fans weren’t thrilled. Hayes struggled in the playoffs, drawing criticism for his lack of physicality and presence in the paint. As Robert Marvi put it, “he simply lacks the girth and strength” to be a defensive anchor.
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1 week ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Ashmit Kumar |Tanay Sahai
“I am not in favor of this policy or any policy that divides and excludes people. I stand with the many, many Americans who believe this does not represent what the United States is all about. And we should continue to speak out about it”. This is what LeBron James said back in 2017 in criticism of President Donald Trump’s immigration ban on Muslims.
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1 week ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Rohan Bhaunt |Tanay Sahai
The Timberwolves’ pursuit for Kevin Durant is in full swing. Their interest began in February when they were in discussion with the Suns for a potential trade at the midseason deadline. Although a deal was never finalized, it was clear that the Minnesota team would revisit the idea of acquiring the two-time champ this summer. But the dreaded trade restrictions, along with the uncertain future of two key players, are seemingly causing major hindrance in the Wolves’ chase for The Slim Reaper.
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1 week ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Rohan Bhaunt |Tanay Sahai
The Kevin Durant trade talks are heating up. Earlier tonight, Shams Charania reported that Miami, San Antonio, and Houston are The Slim Reaper’s three preferred destinations out of Phoenix, where he is willing to commit long term. This was an instant dagger to the hearts of Timberwolves fans who were hoping for a Durant-Edwards reunion in Minnesota, a year after their successful Paris Olympics run together.
