Courtside Reporter Ashley ShahAhmadi Is Clear Star Of NBA Playoff

Feb 12, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Ashley ShahAhmadi speaks at NBA Cares Legacy Project Dedication at the Weingart YMCA. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Courtside Reporter Ashley ShahAhmadi Is Clear Star Of NBA Playoff

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Apr 22, 2026 11:05 AM ET

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It's safe to say NBC made a smart decision hiring Ashley ShahAhmadi as its lead courtside reporter for the 2025-26 NBA season.

ShahAhmadi has worked alongside play-by-play commentator Noah Eagle and former All-Star forward Grant Hill for the majority of the NBA season. On Tuesday night, however, NBC had Terry Gannon fill in for Eagle. Nonetheless, that crew still had an excellent broadcast for Game 2 between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers.

LeBron James powered the shorthanded Lakers to yet another win with 28 points, 8 rebounds and seven assists. Marcus Smart also stepped up for Los Angeles, scoring 25 points on 8-for-13 shooting.

“He’s always been assigned some of the best players that [have] ever played this game in his career. So, to have someone like that it just brings a lot of composure to our team,” James said, via ESPN. “Especially when we’re missing — I hate to beat a dead horse, but it’s two big horses — with AR [Reaves] and Luka [Doncic] out. So, to have that, it means a lot to our ballclub.”

Before Game 2 even went final, NBA fans praised ShahAhmadi on social media. They clearly enjoyed her in-game updates and interviews.

"Hiring Ashley Shahahmadi might be the best thing NBC has ever done," one fan declared.

"Ashley ShahAhmadi is beyond generational man," a second fan commented.

"I’d be dropping 50 if Ashley ShahAhmadi is the sideline reporter for my game," a third fan wrote.

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Get to know Ashley Shahahmadi.

Prior to joining NBC in 2025, Shahahmadi covered SEC football games for ESPN. She was also an NBA reporter for ESPN Radio.

When she wasn't on the sideline for college football games, Shahahmadi reported on the Charlotte Hornets for Bally Sports South.

"A graduate of the University of Georgia, she began her career as the weekend sports anchor at WTOK-TV in Meridian, Miss., before moving back to Atlanta to work as a social media content producer for Fox Sports South/Southeast," her bio for NBC states.

It's only a matter of time before Shahahmadi becomes a household name in NBA community.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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