SI:AM | The Simplest Stat Could Determine NBA MVP

In this year's MVP race, the most important ability is availability.

TYLER LAULETTA Good morning, I'm Tyler Lauletta, filling in another day for your usual host, Dan Gartland. I've been feeling the post-Olympics blues—there's nothing like waking up to curling every morning—but with MLB spring training underway and college basketball conference tournaments set to start soon, I will have my afternoon sports calendar filled soon enough. On to the newsletter.   In today's SI:AM: 🏀 Illinois finds star 🏉 QB decisions  🏌️Koepka watch NBA's Stringent Participation Rules Are Setting the League Up for a Messy Awards Season Alonzo Adams/Imagn Images When the Pistons hosted the Thunder on Wednesday night, it was a possible preview of the NBA Finals. Both teams sit atop their respective conferences and are led by MVP candidates in Cade Cunningham and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The matchup didn't live up to its billing, with SGA missing his ninth-straight game as he continues to work his way back from an abdominal strain. Including Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City's top four scorers were out for various reasons. The Pistons went on to comfortably win, 124-116, though the Thunder worked hard to make things interesting in the fourth quarter. A star of SGA's caliber sitting out due to injury is nothing new, and the Thunder are going to take every precaution in planning his return to ensure that he's healthy when the playoffs come around. If that means losing a game against the Pistons in February to make sure they're at full strength when they meet again in June, that's a fair trade every time. Gilgeous-Alexander's absence highlighted another developing story in the NBA as we approach the end of the year—how one simple stat may affect awards season. CONTINUE TYLER'S COLUMN ON SI Join the SI College Basketball Newsletter SI's college basketball newsletter delivers insider reporting and can't-miss stories on the biggest moments from across the country. From weekly previews to in-depth features, it's your essential guide to staying ahead in the world of NCAA hoops. CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE Robert Hanashiro/Imagn Images The best of Sports Illustrated In today's Digital Cover, Kevin Sweeney traces how Illinois found a star in Keaton Wagler when other schools overlooked him. Albert Breer checks in on the critical quarterback decisions facing the Browns and Colts. He also has more on the potential trade market for A.J. Brown and Maxx Crosby. Gilberto Manzano reports on the sights and sounds from Day 2 of the NFL combine, where Mike Vrabel shared his interviewing tips and Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr. said Titans quarterback Cam Ward been lobbying the Titans to draft him. Matt Verderame digs into Bain's "kill-all" mentality and Texas Tech edge David Bailey's psychological edge. He argues that landing a pass rusher like Bain or Bailey could be the key to winning a Super Bowl. Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka, competing in his third event since returning to the PGA Tour, could contend for a tournament title this week, Bob Harig writes. Get the print edition of Sports Illustrated delivered to your door. CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE! John E. Sokolowski/Imagn Images 👀 The top five ... … things I saw last night: 5. This photo of Wemby from All-Star weekend by Jenny Fischer. 4. The Spurs commentary desk getting so caught up in a fight about cheesesteaks that they forgot to listen to the referee announcing the result of a challenge. 3. This textbook Joker three at the buzzer. 2. Getty photographer Elsa Garrison (one of my favorites) breaking down some of her top shots from the Winter Olympics. 1. Wemby playing defense like the tallest kid at your middle school. The best of SI Video In the latest episode of The MMQB NFL Podcast, Conor Orr and Albert Breer break down why Broncos coach Sean Payton gave up playcalling to offensive coordinator Davis Webb, explore whether the Texans will extend quarterback C.J. Stroud and look ahead to the quarterbacks in the 2027 NFL Draft. Join the SI Boxing Newsletter Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix provides a weekly spotlight, featuring in-depth reporting and sharp commentary, on the biggest fights and stories inside the ring. CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE W We may receive compensation for some links to products and services included in this email. Sports Publishing Solutions Inc. 625 Broadway, 10th floor New York, NY. 10012 You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to the SI:AM newsletter. You can unsubscribe here  . Privacy Policy – Terms & Conditions © 2026 Sports Publishing Solutions Inc. All rights reserved. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. 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