Just like Dirk Nowitzki attended Luka Doncic's first home game as a Los Angeles Laker, Chris Paul was in the arena for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 's first game as the NBA's new Most Valuable Player.

Alexander's first NBA MVP trophy gave him an overflow of energy when he returned to the court, but he tamed the electricity to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.

While it's a testament to the international growth of the game that winners have come from Canada, Serbia, Cameroon and Greece, it also means American-born players are lagging behind the league's elite.

Coco Gauff's ex-coach, Brad Gilbert, has lashed out at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Brunson over their foul-hunting plays in the NBA Playoffs.

Two years ago, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves met in the play-in tournament to determine which would get the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.