Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 3: Brunson's Ankle & Harbaugh Reaction

ESPN New York | January 15, 2026

Overview

This episode dives deep into pressing issues in New York sports: Jalen Brunson's worrying ankle injury for the Knicks, major reaction to the New York Giants' high-profile hiring of John Harbaugh, and thoughtful speculation about the direction of local teams and sports culture. Alongside these central narratives, hosts Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg keep things lively with classic banter, listener calls, and reflections on everything from movie critiques to the navigation quirks of Long Island and North Jersey.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Knicks Update: Jalen Brunson's Ankle Injury

[03:14–05:03, recurring]

• No Brunson Against the Warriors: Jalen Brunson is ruled out due to a recurring ankle injury—his third such absence due to the same ankle since March 2025.
• Medical Concern: Unlike previous injuries caused by contact (landing on a foot), this instance was non-contact — "just taking a step, making a move, and the ankle just gave out." (Don Hahn, [03:17])
• Implications: While listed as "day to day," the non-contact nature of the injury is concerning to Hahn and suggests the need for caution moving forward.
• Knicks' Roster Strain: Mitchell Robinson is also sitting out (not playing in back-to-backs), potentially compounding issues for the team.
  • “You feel like you gotta win this game because you’re right now one and two on this trip because last night was an abomination of a performance.” (Don Hahn, [05:20])
• NBA Scheduling Criticized: The show's hosts vent frustration at the NBA's grueling schedule, especially back-to-backs and cross-country travel.

2. NFL Playoffs: Sam Darnold's Injury & Playoff Picture

[06:01–11:40]

• Sam Darnold Injury Drama: The Giants' playoff hopes hinge on Darnold, who is “questionable with an oblique” but expects to play.
  • “There is close to 0% chance he won’t play.” (Rosenberg, [06:25])
  • The show notes that quarterbacks compromised by oblique injuries can lose velocity and control.
• Playoff Narratives: The crew contemplates which underdog teams have value this week and speculates about Vegas lines designed to trick bettors.
  • “Public was 6-0 last week… So what does Vegas do this week that tricks the public?” (Peter, [09:03])
• CJ Stroud as M. Night Shyamalan: Amusingly, Stroud's early career is compared to the "Sixth Sense" era of Shyamalan, with hosts riffing on his perceived diminishing returns.

3. Listener Calls & Giants’ Historical Perspective

[15:16–18:50]

• The Ebb & Flow of Giants Fanhood: A caller reflects on being a longtime Giants supporter, with ups (back-to-back beatdowns of the 49ers in the ’80s, Super Bowl wins) and downs (the Fassel era's lack of legacy).
  • “Does anybody care about the Jim Fassel Giants...does anyone mention Jim Fassel?” (Caller Chris, [17:22])
• Celebrating Giants Memory: Hosts recall the 41-0 championship win against the Vikings as an unforgettable high point, even if overshadowed by Super Bowl disappointment later.

4. The Harbaugh Hire: Instant Repercussions for the Giants & Big Blue Optimism

[23:26–34:00]

• Harbaugh in New York: The hiring of John Harbaugh is described as transformative for the Giants' credibility, potentially shifting the franchise’s fortunes overnight.
  • “The Giants now have credibility. The Giants are going to be in games and the Giants could be in the conversation.” (Rosenberg, [33:29])
• Joe Schoen’s Role: Previously criticized GM Joe Schoen is now seen as a mastermind following Harbaugh's endorsement.
  • "Joe Shane was the architect behind a lot of this. He's gonna end up keeping his job, get a contract extension... From persona non grata to maybe the reason John Harbaugh is here.” (Rosenberg, [24:24])
• Immediate Expectations: Harbaugh views this as a “win-now” situation, not a rebuild, and the hosts agree, recounting close games from the past season that could have swung with better coaching. ([27:00–28:52])
• Quarterback Outlook: The conversation pivots to optimism—and some caution—about Jackson Dart’s future as Giants’ quarterback, comparing his development curve to other star QBs.
  • “What if he turns out to be injury prone?” (Rosenberg, [30:16])
  • “I saw a guy that hated losing... Guys like that I can win with.” (Don Hahn, [30:49])

5. Giants Legacy, Coaching Tiers, and Coaching Hires in NY Sports

[36:00–40:53]

• Great Coaches & Impact on Legacy: Callers and hosts debate which NY coaches are most revered and how high-profile hires (like Harbaugh now, or Pat Riley then) change fan expectations.
  • “What I’m trying to say is this is by far the Giants’ biggest [coaching hire].” (Peter, [39:46])
• The transition from within-organization hires (Coughlin, Dan Reeves) to true external, splashy appointments is discussed as a sign the Giants are changing tack.

6. Banter, NY & NJ Navigation, and Cultural Detours

[44:25–52:10, selected highlights]

• Reliance on Smartphones: The crew humorously explores how technology governs our daily commutes, reflecting on what would happen if GPS failed.
• Long Island vs. North Jersey Living: Playful regional rivalry, with Rosenberg and Hahn joking about getting lost, highway signage, and which burbs are better.
• Lighthearted NYC Anxieties: Some banter explores what might happen in case of emergencies on LI or Manhattan: “If the ish hit the fan...you’re jumping in the ocean.” (Peter, [51:41])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Brunson’s Injury:
  • “This is the third time now he’s gonna miss time with the same ankle going back to March of 2025…this was non contact…that kind of worries me a little bit.” — Don Hahn, [03:17]
• On Giants' Newfound Optimism:
  • “Joe Shane was the architect behind a lot of this…From persona non grata to maybe the reason John Harbaugh is here.” — Rosenberg, [24:24]
  • “The Giants now have credibility. The Giants are going to be in games and the Giants could be in the conversation...” — Rosenberg, [33:29]
• On Coach Hires:
  • “If Coughlin never comes to the Giants, we’re never talking about Tom Coughlin again. He’s a trivia question.” — Peter, [39:34]
• On Watching Classic Movies:
  • “I just got about halfway through, and it just became like, okay, I get it.” — Don Hahn (on Spaceballs), [14:19]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:14–05:03 | Brunson’s non-contact ankle injury; Knicks injury woes | | 06:01–11:40 | NFL Playoff picture; Sam Darnold’s injury | | 15:16–18:50 | Caller: Giants-history perspective (Fassel, Playoff memories) | | 23:26–34:00 | Harbaugh’s ripple effect, Giants’ trajectory, QB concerns | | 36:00–40:53 | Coaching hires and legacies (NY sports context) | | 44:25–52:10 | Navigation & technology banter, LI vs. North Jersey living |

Show’s Tone & Takeaways

The episode is energetic, sporty, and uniquely “New York.” The hosts mix detailed, passionate sports analysis with casual storytelling, pop culture references, and listener engagement, making for a dense and genuinely entertaining digest of everything NY sports fans are talking about right now.

Biggest Takeaway:
The Giants' hiring of John Harbaugh instantly changes expectations and injects credibility—while the Knicks limp through key West Coast games. Surrounded by their signature blend of irreverent humor and nostalgia, Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg guide fans through the highs, lows, and future hopes of NY sports.

For more: Catch full episodes of Don, Hahn, & Rosenberg weekday afternoons on ESPN New York.