Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective

Episode: Can Knicks Take Control Of East? + Can OKC Break NBA Wins Record?
Date: December 10, 2025
Host: Brian Windhorst with ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon

Episode Overview

In this episode, the crew dives deep into the NBA’s hot topics: the surging New York Knicks and their shot at taking control of the Eastern Conference, and whether the Oklahoma City Thunder can challenge the single-season NBA wins record. The team also covers major storylines around the NBA Cup semifinals, playoff implications for young teams like Orlando, and the remarkable resilience and depth of contending squads. The analysis is punctuated with sharp insights, good-natured banter, and a blend of stats and first-hand observations, perfect for NBA diehards tracking the 2025 season’s pulse.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Knicks' Momentum and the Murky Eastern Conference

(03:05-09:38)

• Knicks’ recent form: The Knicks have won eight of their last nine. Jalen Brunson is highlighted for a tremendous performance (35 points on 13-of-19 shooting, 6-of-9 from three) and is credited as the engine of the team's success. The offense is top-three over the last stretch, and supporting cast members like Josh Hart and OG Anunoby are also rounding into form after injuries.
  • "Jalen Brunson had a terrific performance... you can't really overcome that, 35 for the game." — Tim Bontemps (03:21)
• Consistency in the conference: The East is volatile; from Boston in third to Atlanta in ninth, standings are separated by just 1.5 games. Many teams, including the Celtics and Raptors, have been up and down, emphasizing the opportunity for the Knicks to separate themselves.
  • “It's a good time for the Knicks to get hot. If they can run away and hide at the top... that could make a real difference for them down the second half of the year.” — Tim Bontemps (05:41)
• Stability and health: Unlike many rivals plagued by injuries, most of the Knicks' core is healthy. The panel notes that, if the team can stay healthy, they could build momentum and leave the rest of the East scrambling.
• Carl Towns Adjustment: Towns is not shooting to career averages but remains productive. There’s optimism he'll heat up, making the Knicks even tougher.

Notable Stat/Quote:

“Tonight the Knicks are over 50% in five consecutive road games for the first time since 1984.” — Tim Bontemps (08:42)

2. Injuries, Roster Depth, and Stars

(09:39-10:00)

• Durability: The discussion highlights that while key Knicks (Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby) rarely miss games, Towns has had some absences but is still productive.
• Jokic Appreciation: Quick comparison to Jokic’s triple-double prowess as a league barometer—a nod to just how high the superstar bar is now.

3. Orlando Magic & The Heat: NBA Cup Semifinal East Preview

(11:51-22:36)

• Magic’s resilience: With Franz Wagner out, Desmond Bane (37 points, 6-of-9 from three) stepped up in Orlando’s win over the Heat. Paolo Banchero is ramping up after injury; the Magic are learning the dynamics of “winning basketball” in important games.
  • "Desmond Bane... third 37 point game just the last two weeks. Had a big start to the fourth quarter in this one." — Brian Windhorst (12:19)
• Heat cooling off: Miami dropped to four straight losses, attributed to teams adapting to their offense and their own shooting woes.
  • "People have started to figure out their offense..." — Bontemps quoting Norman Powell (14:12)
• Scouting and playoff prep: The panel notes that teams with distinctive styles often get “figured out” by opponents over a long season—a lesson for both the Heat and Magic.
• Orlando gaining experience: This deep cup run is valuable postseason-like experience for the young Magic.
  • "This is a team that hasn't advanced in the playoffs very deep... this is a significant thing for them to build off of." — Windhorst (19:08)
• Key context: Besides Bane, the only players with serious playoff success are Tyus Jones and Bane—pointing to the Magic’s inexperience.

4. Western Conference: Thunder’s Dominance & Record Chase

(24:46-33:32)

• OKC’s juggernaut start: The Thunder are 23-1, despite losing the second most player games to injury. Their dominance extends back to early last season (since starting 11-4, they’re 80-12). Their home record is particularly staggering.
  • "They're just, this is a juggernaut, maybe unlike any that we have ever seen before." — Tim MacMahon (25:54)
• Chasing NBA history: If they maintain this 88% winning percentage, a 70+ win pace is realistic—and talk has shifted from "can they win 70?" to "can they win 74 or 75?" which would invite all-time “best team ever” debates.
  • “Through 24 games is on pace to have that kind of argument. And so I hope they embrace it and chase it.” — Bontemps (29:42)
• Depth and player development: Sam Presti’s talent-finding is likened to "finding rotation players in his pockets," and the team’s ability to plug holes with players like Brandon Carlson is compared to Nick Saban's Alabama.
• Clutch performance: Their clutch net rating is off the charts (+41.4 in clutch minutes).

Notable Quote:

“Their one loss this season... they were up 22 on the second night of a back to back with several core guys sitting... This is a juggernaut, maybe unlike any that we have ever seen before.” — MacMahon (25:54)

5. Phoenix Suns—Building a New Culture

(33:39-38:46)

• Suns overachieving despite injuries: Without Devin Booker and with only limited minutes from Jalen Green, they’re still 14-10. Big contributors include Mark Williams (trade acquisition, 66% FG), Dylan Brooks (edge and toughness), and rookie coach Jordan Ott, who’s credited with stabilizing the franchise.
• Dunks galore: Mark Williams' impact illustrated by his 45 dunks in 20 games.
• Team identity shift: Suns wanted to reset the culture, put a competitive product on the floor, and stop the coaching carousel. Early returns look fantastic.

6. Spurs and Lakers—Quarterfinals Outlook & Rising Young Guards

(39:00-44:01)

• Spurs thriving amid injuries: Despite Victor Wembanyama missing time, San Antonio is holding steady, thanks to recent returns of Stefan Castle and key contributions from Dylan Harper.
  • “I think they've got this generation's version of Duncan, Parker, Ginobili.” — MacMahon (42:13)
• Roster evolution: The Spurs have made savvy moves with players like Julian Champagnie and Kelly Olynyk.
• Lakers continue “Luka Ball”: Luka Doncic maintains a high usage rate next to LeBron James and Austin Reaves; LeBron is mostly reliant on his outside shooting now, with transition play and defense being key swing factors for the Lakers consistency.

7. NBA Scheduling Debate—Intensity vs. Reality

(50:07-54:54)

• League office pushback: After complaints about early schedule intensity, the NBA provided context: in-game counts and five-games-in-seven-days stretches are statistically the same or less than previous years.
• Rest advantage up: Teams playing back-to-backs are winning at a higher rate than any time in the last 40 years.
  • “This year teams without rest so on a back to back have a .480 winning percentage which would be the highest...in over 40 years.” — Bontemps (53:04)
• Perception vs. Reality: Feelings around schedule fatigue exist, but the numbers say otherwise—“humans lie, numbers don’t.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "You can't spell craps without raps, but they won't be there to roll the dice in Vegas." — MacMahon with his infamous wordplay, poking fun at the Raptors’ struggles (01:48)
• “Numbers lie.” — MacMahon, tongue-in-cheek after stats about back-to-backs contradict on-court impressions (53:55)
• "Sam Presti just finds quality rotation players in his pockets. Like sometimes you put on a pair of jeans and there’s a $20 bill in there—that’s what they do." — Windhorst on OKC’s talent development (32:26)
• "I think they've got this generation's version of Duncan, Parker, Ginobili." — MacMahon on the Spurs’ young guards (42:13)
• “They're going to have an argument to be the best team ever.” — Bontemps on a potential record-breaking Thunder season (29:42)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Knicks’ hot streak & East chaos: 03:05–09:38
• Injury talk & stalwart stars: 09:39–10:00
• Magic-Heat recap & Magic’s playoff experience: 11:51–22:36
• Thunder’s historical pace & depth discussion: 24:46–33:32
• Suns’ culture shift & contributors: 33:39–38:46
• Spurs/Lakers preview & young guard praise: 39:00–44:01
• NBA scheduling criticism & league data response: 50:07–54:54

Tone and Style

The pod keeps true to its ESPN roots: direct, data-driven, irreverent, and heavy on chemistry between analysts. Expect plenty of dry wit, inside jokes, and knowledgeable references for dedicated NBA fans.

Summary by [Your AI Podcast Summarizer]
Perfect for those who want the essence of the episode and detailed insights—without sitting through the full pod!