NBA on ESPN

Zach and Howard Beck of The Ringer discuss the epic Knicks-Sixers series, Joel Embiid's play, what's next for the Sixers, Heat, and Bucks after disappointing first-round exits, the Kawhi Leonard-Paul George era in LA, the Darvin Ham noise, Knicks-Pacers early thoughts, and much more. Then Adam Mares of DNVR Sports and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic join for an in-depth preview of the Nuggets-Wolves showdown. Knicks-Sixers all-time first-round series (7:32) Embiid battled (19:49) Sixers' crucial off-season (32:14) Bucks' postmortem (39:33) Heat have an intriguing off-season on the horizon (48:55) Clippers on the brink (57:32) Mares and Krawczynski preview Minnesota-Denver (1:10:57) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Bobby Marks discuss Anthony Edwards' brilliance in Minnesota's sweep of Phoenix, the potential fallout for the Suns, fake Kevin Durant trades, Clippers-Mavericks and Kawhi Leonard's injury, the pressure on Cleveland in Cavs-Magic, the stakes for the Sixers and Bucks behind 3-1, and much more. Then Fred Katz of The Athletic joins for a deep dive on Knicks-Sixers, New York's future plans, Pacers-Bucks, and more. Phoenix post mortem (11:30) How the Durant trade hamstrung Phoenix (14:11) Fake Durant trade (19:18) Durant's legacy (27:45) Clippers-Mavericks (33:33) Cavs-Magic (44:17) Sixers and Bucks on the brink (51:37) Katz (1:06:36) Game 5 adjustments (1:12:20) Brunson's Game 4 masterpiece (1:16:44) Injury updates (1:27:22) Bucks-Pacers (1:31:42) Knicks' future plans (1:36:41) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to react to the Suns being swept out of the playoffs by Minnesota, what this first sweep means to the Timberwolves, a historic day for Jalen Brunson and the Knicks in Philadelphia, New York fans taking over the 76ers' arena, the Mavs falling short of a record comeback and the Pacers taking care of business with Giannis and Dame sidelined. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to react to a historic performance from Joel Embiid, the shocking news that he has been dealing with Bell’s Palsy, if his flagrant foul should have been upgraded, why the Nuggets domination is not surprising, where the Lakers go from here, the Magic bringing extra energy against the Cavs with new adjustments and what to expect for the rest of Mavs-Clippers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Cassidy Hubbarth to talk Luka and the Mavs getting a big win with some clutch defense, why the Suns are in serious trouble with Minnesota, how the Pacers bounced back in a big way carried by an insane performance by Pascal Siakam, a chaotic night at MSG for the Knicks and the results of the following pool report. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Kevin Pelton discuss what they've seen from every Game 1 of the first round and what to look for as each series progresses. Knicks-Sixers (2:11) Celtics-Heat (8:03) Cavs-Magic (12:06) Nuggets-Lakers (16:46) Timberwolves-Suns (27:10) Thunder-Pelicans (36:21) Clippers-Mavericks (50:23) Bucks-Pacers (1:02:57) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to react to all of the Game 1 action for Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs including the Thunder escaping a nervy finish in OKC, the Clippers’ complete dismantling of the Mavs, Dame Lillard’s 1st half masterclass, the Celtics dominating, the Nuggets shutting down the Lakers late, a coming out party for Ant Edwards and the Cavs looking good with Donovan Mitchell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to preview some of the most exciting matchups for Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs including how much parody there is in this round, if we will get to see another legendary battle between Kawhi & Luka, the impact of health on these series, if the 76ers can take down the Knicks, if the Bucks can stay afloat without Giannis and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to react to the Kings eliminating the Warriors, if this could be the end of a dynasty, if Klay will be back and where Golden State goes from here. Plus, the guys talk Zion’s unfortunate injury in the middle of a career game against the Lakers, if he will be ready to play against the Kings, if the Lakers can fair better against the Nuggets this year after getting swept last season, how much trouble the Bucks are in without Giannis for any amount of their series and preview the East Play-In games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Ohm Youngmisuk to break down the final day of the regular season in the NBA that set up some wild playoff matchups. The guys talk the Cavs’ upsetting decision, if the Bucks can make a run, can the Heat run it back again, who needs to win early in the play-in, who holds the upper hand in Mavs-Clippers, the surprising final standings in the top of the Western Conference and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps, Tim MacMahon and Kevin Pelton to discuss some of the league's most interesting statistical trends over the course of the season including the Magic building on a hot start, the Pacers record setting offense, historical context surrounding Boston’s greatness this season, the danger Luka’s Mavs can be in the playoffs, how to handle all-defensive team voting and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach asks injury expert Jeff Stotts about the extent of Giannis Antentokounmpo's injury and his potential recovery timetable. Then The Athletic's Mo Dakhil joins to discuss Knicks-Celtics, playoff seeding, and the MVP race. What will Giannis' recovery look like? (1:27) Dakhil (17:20) Does anything concern you about the Celtics? (21:03) Knicks are a joy to watch (24:26) Jrue Holiday extension (32:01) Bucks make a starting lineup change (36:34) Nuggets move into pole position in the West (45:12) MVP race is not over (51:45) West seeding possibilities (1:01:18) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to react to the unique Giannis injury, a big Bucks win over Boston, the Suns' embarrassing 1st half dismantling at the hands of the Clippers, the Warriors stepping up against a shorthanded Lakers squad, Ant going for 50 to keep Minnesota’s bid for the 1 seed alive, a big win for the Heat, the Thunder getting healthy, another Kings collapse, extra crazy Wemby stats and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Bobby Marks weigh in on the pivotal races in the Western Conference. Then ESPN's Tim Bontemps joins to discuss the logjam behind Boston in the East, what's gone wrong in Cleveland, and how their All-Defense and All-NBA ballots are shaping up. The race for 6th in the West (3:21) How the top spot will be determined in the West (20:05) The muddled East from 2 to 8 (33:42) Who's the biggest threat to Boston in the East? (39:55) What's gone wrong in Cleveland? (54:07) All-Defense Teams (1:14:37) All-NBA Teams (1:19:39) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Sacramento Kings' Domantas Sabonis joins The Woj Pod to discuss his emergence into an All-NBA big man, the aura of his legendary father Arvydas, the impact of Nikola Jokic on the league's centers, cleansing himself of social media, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin and Kendra Andrews to break down the state of the Lakers & Warriors, including the best possible matchups for both teams to make playoff runs, what dangers they may face in the play-in and what important decisions loom this summer for both teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Kevin Pelton discuss the Sixers' chances now that Joel Embiid is back in the fold, how seeds 3 through 5 might shake out in the East, the race for the top seed in the West, how dangerous the Lakers can be, and what to make of the Suns and Clippers. Sixers with Embiid (10:31) Are the Heat going to heat up or what? (24:01) Knicks without Randle (27:14) Cavs and Magic (35:26) Race for top seed in the West (44:35) How dangerous can the Lakers be? (49:56) Wolves without KAT (1:00:10) Suns coming together (1:03:09) Can the Clippers find the magic they had earlier in the year? (1:05:59) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to react to the recent struggles of the Bucks, how concerning their losses are, how far the Knicks can go without Julius Randle and the how concerning Kawhi’s injury is for the Clippers. Plus, some interesting thoughts on the solar eclipse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to react to Embiid’s return in Philly and what the 76ers are capable of in the playoffs before breaking down the final Bontemps MVP Straw Poll of the season including some surprising vote placement. Plus, the Cojones Factor Player of the Month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Tim MacMahon discuss Joel Embiid's expected return to the Sixers, the charging Mavericks, and a trio of teams succeeding without an injured star. Plus, TrueHoop's David Thorpe joins to run through the top candidates for Most Improved Player. Impact of Embiid's return (1:04) Mavs currently in 5th in the West (9:42) Hawks without Trae, Wolves without KAT, and Rockets without Sengun (30:57) Thorpe (48:10) Most Improved Player candidates (49:55) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices