Podcast Summary: OKC Makes Statement vs. Wemby, BIG AD Injury Update, All-Star Starters, Giannis’ Future

Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective
Date: January 14, 2026
Host: Brian Windhorst (A)
Guests: Tim Bontemps (B), Tim MacMahon (C)

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a deep dive into key happenings around the NBA, including the Oklahoma City Thunder's emphatic win over Victor Wembanyama's Spurs, a crucial injury update (and trade implications) regarding Anthony Davis, All-Star starter ballot debates, and the unrest surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks. The panel provides not just analysis but also offers insider reporting, context on league trends, and candid conversation with some spirited moments.

1. OKC’s Statement Win Over the Spurs & the Rising Rivalry

[01:13 - 13:17]

Breakdown

• Thunder's Response After Previous Struggles:

  • OKC snapped a three-game losing streak to the Spurs, dominating with a statement 20-point victory.
  • Shay Gilgeous-Alexander refocused the narrative from the opponent to the Thunder's own effort:

    “Tonight’s result tells us that when we play a certain way with a certain sense of urgency, a certain sense of force, aggressiveness and attention to detail, it doesn’t matter who is on the other side.” (C, 02:07)

  • Jalen Williams’ return from injury was pivotal: 11 pts, 10 rebs, 5 asts, 2 blks, +30 in 23 min. His physical presence helped change OKC’s defense against Wembanyama.

• The Rivalry Is Heating Up:

  • After three lopsided losses to the Spurs, OKC’s win signals a brewing rivalry, though both teams acknowledge genuine respect.
  • Wembanyama is now “public enemy” for OKC fans, with accusations of "flopping."

    “There is a heightened sense of urgency when the Spurs come to town now, and Wemby is public enemy in OKC... There’s real fun sports venom…” (C, 04:45)

• Key Third Quarter:

  • Thunder seized the game with a decisive 40-point third quarter—defense fueling offense.
  • Bench and role players (like Kenrich Williams, Jalen Williams ‘J-Will’ the big man, and Alex Caruso) made major contributions.

• How Teams Defend Wembanyama:

  • The league’s approach: play physical wings/forwards on Wemby, not just centers.
  • Chet Holmgren was effective, but no one can match Victor’s size straight up.

“The only way to really deal with Victor is to play basically physical power forwards and wings on him… No one’s gonna match his size.” (A, 11:51)

Memorable Moments

• Quote:

  “Fun sports venom… It’s great for the league.” (C, 05:46)

• Quote:

  “If you have to ask [if it’s a rivalry], it’s not one. But it’s a rivalry.” — Jalen Williams after the game (B paraphrasing, 04:10)

2. Anthony Davis — Injury Update & Trade Deadline Drama

[14:15 - 31:31]

Breakdown

• Anthony Davis Injury Discussion:

  • Davis has a left hand ligament injury—details murky, no surgery required, expected to “heal” in six weeks.

    “I’ve never seen an injury to a star player cause them to miss multiple months of action where we have no idea what the injury is, other than just ligament damage.” (B, 17:47)

• Trade Deadline Uncertainty:

  • Davis’ agent, Rich Paul, pushing for an AD trade, believing better extension options elsewhere.
  • Mavericks front office isn’t feeling pressure: they’ll only make a deal if the return makes sense (draft compensation, young players, salary relief).
  • Mavs’ Ownership Stance:

    “Rich Paul is not going to bully us.” (C quoting a Mavs official, 19:29)
    “Ownership doesn’t feel any pressure to do an AD deal.” (C, 19:52)

  • Context: Mavericks want to evaluate a healthy Kyrie+AD+Cooper Flagg trio, but are not opposed to pausing until the offseason.

• Trade Value Analysis:

  • Davis’ value is depressed due to:
    • Injury & lack of clarity
    • Huge contract
    • Age & games missed (29/76 games played since Dallas trade)
    • New CBA constraints on big contracts
  • Realistic path: Mavericks may hold Davis into the summer.

• Big Picture for Dallas:

  • Losing for a high draft pick (alongside Flagg) is now even more of a priority with Davis out.
  • Parallels drawn to the Sixers' path: get a blue-chip rookie, then regroup with stars next season.

“You could construct a scenario where you have Kyrie Irving, Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, insert high lottery pick here… They could have a pretty good team next year. And if Anthony Davis has an All-NBA season next year… perhaps he gets a three-year deal for a lot of money.” (B, 23:18)

3. All-Star Starters Debate: East & West

[32:06 - 45:44]

Breakdown

• Ballot Mechanics:

  • This year: No positions! All wild cards for both starters and reserves.
  • Voting split: Fans (50%), Players (25%), Media (25%).

• Eastern Conference Starters (Bontemps’ Ballot):

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo
  • Cade Cunningham
  • Jalen Brunson
  • Tyrese Maxey
  • Jaylen Brown (narrowly over Donovan Mitchell due to team success)

• Western Conference Starters:

  • Nikola Jokic
  • Luka Doncic
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
  • Victor Wembanyama
  • Anthony Edwards (over Steph Curry for being more consistent and two-way impact)

    “The only real debate for me was between Stephen Curry and Anthony Edwards for the final spot, and ultimately I went with Ant… I will not be voting for Steph.” (B, 42:00)

• Dialogue on Voting:

  • McMahon plays contrarian: Why not bump Giannis if we’re using team performance as the tiebreak?
  • Recognition that, regardless of media votes, popular players like Steph will likely start because of fan/player voting.
  • Discussion about the league’s convoluted new All-Star game format and jersey logistics—“starters” are now an even fuzzier concept.

• Notable Snippet:

  “You get like a jersey, and then the five guys who are not announced as starters… it’s shirts and skins.” (C, joking, 38:10)

• Pascal Siakam gets some All-Star love for his individual heroics (multiple late-game winners) despite his team’s poor record.

4. Giannis & the Bucks: Boos, Bad Losses, and an Uncertain Future

[46:37 - 53:45]

Breakdown

• Bucks' Slide:

  • Minnesota (without Edwards or Gobert) beats Milwaukee by 33 points; Bucks booed off home court, Giannis booing back at the crowd.
  • Giannis’ postgame on being booed at home:

    “I thrive through adversity. I thrive when people don’t believe in me. It doesn’t matter if I’m on the road, home, at a family dinner… I like it, though. I love it.” (B quoting Giannis, 48:06)

  • When reminded it was at home:

    “It does not matter...I'm a maverick... I think I’m like a maverick. I’ve always been that way.” (B, 49:57)

• Trade Watch:

  • While the hosts don't expect Giannis to request a trade before the deadline, the current trajectory is concerning.

    “This is as bad as it really could be in Milwaukee this year. And it’s going to be an awfully interesting three weeks...” (B, 50:10)

• Underlying Numbers:

  • Bucks are 17-23 at the midpoint, a new low for the Giannis era.
  • Massive on/off swing with Giannis—roster quality a real problem.
    • On court: Net rating +10.9
    • Off court: Net rating -10.1 (B, 52:31)

Key Quotes & Moments

• On the OKC-Spurs Rivalry:

  “There is a heightened sense of urgency when the spurs come to town now and Wimby is public enemy in OKC... There’s real fun sports venom is what I would say that’s involved here and that it’s great for the league.” (C, 05:46)

• On Dallas’s AD Dilemma:

  “Rich Paul is not going to bully us.” (C, 19:29)

• On Giannis Booing Back:

  “I was definitely booing back... I play basketball for myself and my family.” (B quoting Giannis, 49:57)

Important Timestamps

| Segment | Topic | |--------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:13 – 13:17 | OKC’s win, rivalry with Spurs, Wembanyama adjustments | | 14:15 – 31:31 | Anthony Davis’ injury & Mavericks’ trade calculus | | 32:06 – 45:44 | All-Star starters debate (East & West), positionless ballots | | 46:37 – 53:45 | Bucks’ collapse, Giannis’ reaction to home boos, concerns about future |

Tone & Style

• Candid, a bit bantering and irreverent
• Heavy on detail and context, with clear attributions
• Occasional light-hearted jabs among panelists (McMahon’s “venom toward Bontemps is fun”)
• Honest skepticism about league transparency on injuries/trades and All-Star formatting

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode importantly tracks where the NBA power dynamics, key injuries, and off-court tensions are heading into a pivotal midseason stretch. Thunder fans are riding high after exorcising their Spurs demons; Dallas is bracing for a franchise-defining AD decision; All-Star chatter is both heated and convoluted; and the Giannis-Bucks relationship is now, for the first time, uncertain.

Whether you’re following the race for the #1 seed or the next blockbuster trade, this conversation will catch you up on the league’s most pressing flashpoints, while giving a behind-the-scenes sense of how insiders debate the future.