No Dunks – NBA All-Star 2026 Predictions

Host: J. Skeets with Tas Melas, Trey Kirby (TK), and JD
Date: January 15, 2026
Podcast: No Dunks by iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

The No Dunks crew convenes for their annual NBA All-Star debate, making their predictions for the 2026 All-Star Game rosters in the midst of newly finalized fan voting. The panel breaks down projected starters and reserves for both conferences, weighs the biggest snubs, and dives into the growing “Team USA vs. World” dynamic. Along the way, they riff on NBA news, injuries, last night's games, and the long-overdue jersey retirement for Charlotte Hornets legend Dell Curry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. All-Star Starters Predictions – Eastern Conference

(Starts ~02:00)

• Locks:

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo
  • Jalen Brunson
  • Tyrese Maxey
  • Cade Cunningham

• Debating the 5th Starter:

  • Jalen Brown vs. Donovan Mitchell
    • Tas: "I think Jalen Brown should be there over Donovan Mitchell. What they're doing this season knocks Donovan Mitchell's spectacular year down a little bit." (03:18)
  • All agree both will be All-Stars, but Brown gets the slight nod for starter based on Celtics success.

• Note: New “Team USA vs. World” All-Star format means actual conference designations are less relevant.

2. Eastern Conference Reserves & Final Roster Debate

(04:00–21:00)

• Locks:

  • Donovan Mitchell
  • Jalen Johnson (“leading Most Improved Player”, 04:40)
  • Scotty Barnes (“best two-way player on Raptors”, 04:54; 05:25)
  • Jalen Duren (“best team in East deserving a 2nd rep, physique factor, a fashionable ‘hottest dude in the league’”, 07:05–09:57)

• Bubble/Contenders:

  • Michael Porter Jr. (MPJ) – “Hand in his face every shot—doesn't matter. Their entire offense.” (10:28)
  • Karl-Anthony Towns (Cat) – “Numbers are there as the 2nd-best player on a good Knicks team, but bad time for his case after a rough stretch.” (11:08–13:01)
  • Norman Powell – “Following up last year's season, leveled up in Miami, offense carried with Tyler Herro out.” (13:16)
  • Desmond Bane – Consistent but lacked elite production; compared unfavorably to MPJ and Paolo Banchero. (15:31–17:47)
  • Others named: Pascal Siakam, Brandon Ingram, Bam Adebayo

• Panel Consensus (East Roster by 21:36):

  • Starters: Giannis, Brunson, Maxey, Cunningham, Jalen Brown
  • Bench: Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Johnson, Scotty Barnes, Jalen Duren, Norman Powell, Karl-Anthony Towns, Michael Porter Jr.
  • Notable Snubs: Siakam, Bane, Ingram

Stream Team Poll

• Who should get the last East All-Star nod?
  • MPJ (35%), Ingram (33%), Siakam and Bane (split remainder). (21:36)

3. All-Star Starters Predictions – Western Conference

(Starts ~24:00)

• Locks:
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA)
  • Nikola Jokic
  • Luka Doncic
  • Victor Wembanyama (“taken a big step in year 3, Spurs one of best in West”)
• 5th Starter Debate:
  • Steph Curry (panel’s pick, popular vote leader) versus Anthony Edwards (strong case, “better team than the Warriors”)
  • TK: "Snub alert. Should be Ant.” (25:35)

4. Western Conference Reserves & Final Roster Debate

(25:45–35:40)

• Locks:

  • Anthony Edwards – “Career best shooting; should probably start over Curry.” (25:47)
  • Jamal Murray – “Finally off the ‘best never to make it’ list; stepped up in Jokic's absence.” (26:05–27:03)
  • Kevin Durant – “Flirting with 50-40-90 again; 16th All-Star selection.” (27:30)
  • Alperen Sengun – “22, 9 & 7, more efficient than last year.” (28:09)
  • Chet Holmgren – “Linchpin of the best defense, Thunder deserve two reps.” (28:46–29:18)
  • Devin Booker – “Carrying a surprising Suns team, top-10 in clutch, impossible threes.” (30:02)
  • Deni Avdija – “Blazers' entire offense; stepped up as a point forward with injuries.” (31:00)

• Final Spots Debated:

  • Kawhi Leonard – “Great shooting, carrying the Clippers into the play-in mix, but missed games hurting his case.” (33:04–33:43)
  • Other snubs/mentions: LeBron James (missed time), Austin Reaves, Lauri Markkanen
  • Panel ultimately sides with Booker, Avdija, and Holmgren over Kawhi for the last three spots.

West Roster (by 34:48):

• Starters: SGA, Jokic, Luka, Wembanyama, Curry
• Bench: Anthony Edwards, Jamal Murray, Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, Chet Holmgren, Deni Avdija, Devin Booker
• Snubs: Kawhi Leonard, LeBron, Reaves, Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr.

Team USA vs. World Balance

• Panel notes exactly eight international players (including Avdija, Sengun, Murray, SGA, Jokic, Luka, Wemby, Giannis).
• Karl-Anthony Towns' “international status” debated; likely to play for Team World due to long Dominican Republic association.
• LeBron “probably doesn’t want to be there,” jokes panel, but still eyes All-Star record numbers. (36:00–37:22)

Stream Team Poll – Last West Spot:

• Booker (36%), Deni Avdija (32%), Kawhi (32%). (37:51–38:02)

5. All-Star Formats, Snubs & Selection Politics

• Discuss merit of “bigger numbers on losing teams” (MPJ, Siakam) versus “winning teams but less gaudy stats” (Booker over Kawhi).
• Coaches' ballots, timing, and narrative shifts play a major role in who sneaks in. (38:41–39:35)

6. Reactions to Last Night’s NBA Action

(40:25-49:51)

• Injuries: Jalen Brunson (Knicks), Cooper Flagg, Darius Garland (Cavs)
• Cavs-76ers: Cleveland defense, Mobley’s all-around impact, Sixers out of sync.
• Nuggets’ Depth: Denver continues to win without Jokic; Peyton Watson impresses.
• Bulls-Jazz Thriller: Kobe White’s late game errors, Keonte George’s scoring spree, Bryce Sensabaugh shines off the Jazz bench (see below for more).
• Grady Dick Breakout for Raptors: “21 points, 11 rebounds… scoring in a bunch of other ways.” (49:25)

7. NBA News Highlights

a. Dell Curry’s Jersey Retirement – Charlotte Hornets

(55:02–59:36)

• Hornets retiring Curry’s #30 on March 19, first jersey honoring on-court exploits for the franchise.
  • “Did you already think it was there?”
    • TK: “It's a little surprising that it hasn't been retired.” (55:35)
  • Legacy: Second all-time Hornets scorer, 10 seasons, Sixth Man of the Year, ambassador/broadcaster.
  • Panel suggests Kemba Walker may be next in line; reminisces on Charlotte’s lean historical roster.
  • Touching moment: Curry surprised in an emotional on-court interview with Eric Collins, surrounded by Hornets legends.

b. Jonathan Kuminga Trade Demand

(60:05):

• Shams reports Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga has “demanded a trade as soon as eligible.”
• J. Skeets: “We got you, don’t worry… Been working it.”
• Panel jokes about trade value, mechanics, and timing.

c. Trey Young Update (Wizards)

• Out until after All-Star break (per Shams), team remains cautious.
• Wizards have incentive to lose, as their 2026 first is top-8 protected: “If it’s top eight, they keep it; otherwise, it’s New York’s.” (51:42)

8. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Tas on Jalen Duren’s Off-Court Popularity:
  “He’s one of the hottest dudes in the league. That puts him over the top for me.” (08:04)
• TK on MPJ’s Shot Selection:
  “It feels like there’s a hand in his face every time but it doesn’t really matter.” (10:33)
• J. Skeets, joking about Michael Porter Jr.:
  “His podcasts have not been good.” (15:31)
• TK on Norman Powell:
  “Old Normie… could not get there with Bam, so Norm over Bam for me.” (14:46)
• J. Skeets on Deni Avdija:
  “Basically the Jalen Johnson of the West—numbers not empty, he is their offense.” (31:00)
• Tas on Karl-Anthony Towns’ international status:
  “Cat… will be on the international team once he's selected. And then you can shove LeBron in just like that.” (36:17)

9. Notable Statistical Nuggets

• Bryce Sensabaugh's Record:
  • 21 1st quarter points off Jazz bench—the most by any reserve in 30 seasons of recorded play-by-play. (61:38)
• KD's All-Star Milestone:
  • Could become 1 of 4 with 16+ All-Star selections (LeBron: 21, Kareem: 19, Kobe: 18). (27:34)

10. Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:40 — Start of main pod, introductions
• 02:00 — East All-Star starters debate
• 04:00 — East reserves breakdown
• 10:28 — Last East spots debated
• 21:36 — Stream Team poll results
• 24:00 — West All-Star starters debate
• 25:45 — West reserves debated
• 31:00 — West bubble: Kawhi, Booker, Avdija
• 34:48 — West snubs and consensus
• 40:25 — Last night’s NBA action
• 55:02 — Dell Curry jersey retirement
• 60:05 — Jonathan Kuminga news
• 61:38 — Bryce Sensabaugh’s historic night

Tone & Final Thoughts

The episode is classic No Dunks: lively, playful, basketball-nerdy, and brimming with both stats and personality. The hosts strike a friendly, irreverent tone—quick to riff and joke about NBA culture—even as they wade into serious All-Star debates.

In Summary

• Main Take: The panel offers thorough, nuanced, and sometimes surprising All-Star predictions, reflecting both statistical merit and big-picture league narratives.
• Memorable Commentary: From joking about Jalen Duren’s online thirst-trap virality to dissecting the streaming team’s very Canadian All-Star vote, the pod is as entertaining as it is informative.
• Snubs and Surprises: Not everyone will agree with MPJ and Booker as back-end All-Star picks, but the debate is robust and well-argued.
• Bonus Content: Nuggets on Hornets franchise history, NBA injury updates, and a record-setting Jazz rookie’s wild scoring night—all typical of No Dunks’ comprehensive, fun-first coverage.

For Further Listening

• For the full All-Star roster debates, start at [00:40], with the East at [02:00] and the West at [24:00].
• For the Hornets and Del Curry discussion, go to [55:02].
• Bryce Sensabaugh’s historic bench scoring feat: [61:38].