Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 3: Brunson Injury & Damien Woody

ESPN New York | November 13, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg

Episode Overview

Hour 3 of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg dives deep into New York sports, focusing on the latest Jalen Brunson injury update, dissecting the Knicks' recent performance and fan expectations, analyzing NFL storylines (namely the Jets and Patriots), and features a detailed, insightful interview with NFL analyst and former Jet, Damien Woody. The hosts' signature blend of hard sports analysis, humor, and genuine chemistry is on full display, interspersed with listener calls and self-deprecating banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jalen Brunson Injury Update & Knicks Impact

[02:31–03:58]

• Alan Hahn breaks news regarding Jalen Brunson's ankle:
  • "Jalen Brunson sustained a grade one right ankle sprain... Going to miss tomorrow night's game against the Miami Heat. And then day-to-day evaluated daily. I don't like the evaluated daily part..." – Alan Hahn [02:43]
• The group discusses the potential silver lining:
  • Hahn highlights it's not the worst-case and Brunson may only miss minimal time: "Could have been way worse... Gives him four days to see if he could be ready for the next game." [03:27]
• General sentiment: Not ideal, but "could have been way worse."

2. Knicks Overreactions & Fan Emotional Swings

[05:54–12:12]

• The hosts come clean about getting caught up in the Knicks’ hot streak, only to stumble with their first loss and Brunson’s injury.
  • Rosenberg on fan overreactions: "I tweeted out, maybe we moved a little too quickly on the old Knicks today... That's not what I'm saying. Do you want to say let's not put him in the championship." [06:33]
• Alan Hahn’s self-critique:
  • "Did I jump the gun with talking about the Knicks and how good they look and can be this year, or is Peter being that guy overreacting to what was one loss after a five-game winning streak?" [07:10]
• Discussion about “red flags” in Knicks’ recent games: fatigue, loss of focus, and lack of a step-up scorer when Brunson is out.
  • "There's not that someone else that can step up... the offense couldn't save a defense that had gotten soft..." – Alan Hahn [10:55]
• Tone: Humorous humility, self-awareness of classic Knicks fan ups and downs.

3. Chemistry, Banter, and “Phonegate”

[09:22–24:28]

• On-air ribbing as Hahn catches Don & Peter on their phones while he talks. Banter follows about loyalty and engagement.
  • "You both, like, literally, I started talking, you both went like this... I'm looking for somebody, anybody." – Alan Hahn [10:03 & 23:40]
• Listeners call in to weigh in on the “phone incident”—many see it as harmless, good-natured needling that reflects real camaraderie.
• Self-reflection on showing personality and authenticity on-air
  • “Is it a problem that I take off the filter here, like I thought? No, we're supposed to do... I'll just tell you what I'm thinking from now.” – Alan Hahn [44:09]

4. NFL: Coach Evaluations, Jets & Patriots Matchup, and Quarterback Debate

[14:06–16:45; 31:51–39:56]

• Listener “Danny from Centerport” voices doubts about his coach and potential QB choices: "I can't be proud if he puts this quarterback out there... it's mind-blowing." [15:24]
• Don and others weigh the challenges of coaching decisions given limited QB choices and strong opposing defenses.
• Damien Woody Segment
  [30:01–40:22]
  • On Brian Daboll’s (Giants) firing: “It’s a results-driven business... you don’t win, this is what happens... but he’s a great offensive mind and will land on his feet.” [30:29]
  • Giants’ coaching job: Woody prioritizes a veteran head coach, not another coordinator. Cites Mike Vrabel as an ideal type. [32:08]
  • Jets vs Patriots: Praises Jets defensive improvements and Breece Hall's usage; warns about the Patriots’ dominant run defense and offensive unpredictability: "They got a bunch of guys... on any given Sunday, a guy could just explode..." [36:45]
  • Woody strongly advocates for quickly switching QBs if Fields is ineffective, prioritizing evaluation of young offensive players. [35:02]
  • On the NFLPA report card controversy: Woody finds NFL’s stance “crazy,” credits report grades for positive changes in facilities and culture. [38:11]

5. Listener Calls: Knicks, Compliments, and Show Format

[12:27–16:09; 43:13–50:34]

• Passionate Knicks fans call in, oscillating between hope and anxiety.
• Recurring caller Danny from Centerport finally delivers a heartfelt compliment to Alan Hahn for his professionalism and poise during a recent on-court interview with Jalen Brunson:
  • “My man, you were shining like a diamond, man... Your suit looked great. You looked sharp. You weren’t weighted by anything.” – Caller Chris Wanton ("Danny from Centerport") [49:32]
• Light debate about banning another caller, “Danny from Long Island,” due to past call-in drama.

6. Fun Moments & Pop Culture Tangents

• Joking about travel rip-offs (Amtrak Acela), Alan’s tall stature during player interviews, and random TV personalities’ red faces.
• Peter recounts a “Knicks in the wild” sighting: “I saw Josh Hart in the wild... Handsome man, by the way.” [52:56]
• Reflections on iconic Knicks (Larry Johnson) and playful brainstorming about Halloween costumes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Knicks optimism:
  “I got a little drunk... I should have seen this coming. And I'm mad that I didn't see it.” – Alan Hahn [06:01, 10:55]
• On phone distractions:
  "You both, like, literally, I started talking, you both went like this... the ultimate, 'Yeah, I'm checking out.'" – Alan Hahn [10:03, 23:11]
• On the seriousness of Brunson’s injury:
  "It is certainly better than two to four weeks or any of that stuff... The daily means we'll just see how he feels each day." – Alan Hahn [02:52]
• Damien Woody on Daboll firing:
  "At the end of the day it’s a results driven business... and when you don’t win, man, this is what happens." – Damien Woody [30:29]
• Woody on Patriots’ resurgence:
  “They’re top 10 in both offense and defense... Drake May... is an MVP candidate. And they can just beat you in a lot of different ways.” [36:07]
• Woody on NFLPA report cards:
  "I think the PA is doing owners a favor by doing this... it ignited change... that's because of these reports where these teams felt compelled..." [38:11]
• Caller on Alan Hahn:
  “You were shining like a diamond, man... looking really good, man. So God bless you. What you're doing...” – Danny from Centerport [49:32]

Important Timestamps

• [02:31–03:58] — Jalen Brunson injury update & implications
• [06:01–12:12] — Knicks’ fan emotional swings, red flags, and overreactions
• [10:03, 23:11] — “Phonegate” banter highlights hosts’ camaraderie
• [14:06–16:45] — Callers debate NFL coaching, quarterbacks, and team cultures
• [30:01–40:22] — Damien Woody's NFL insights (Giants coaching search, Jets-Pats, NFLPA report cards)
• [49:32] — Danny from Centerport's compliment to Alan Hahn

Tone & Language

• Conversational, witty, often self-deprecating
• Reflects genuine passion for New York sports, with hosts openly vacillating between optimism and skepticism
• Good-natured ribbing and warmth between hosts and listeners

Summary

Hour 3 of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg is vintage New York sports radio: a sharp mix of timely news (Brunson update, NFL coaching hot seats), passionate analysis (Knicks highs and lows, Jets-Patriots breakdown), audience engagement (“phonegate”, memorable compliments), and superb chemistry among the panel. Damien Woody’s guest spot adds substantial NFL expertise, and the show closes with light-hearted Knicks tales and more playful banter. Whether you’re an obsessive Knicks fan, a New York football devotee, or just love honest, entertaining sports talk, this episode captures the essence of why the trio connects so strongly with local listeners.