No Dunks Podcast: NBA Weekend Winners & Losers | Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid Dunks, Poor Jalen Suggs
Date: January 5, 2026
Hosts: J. Skeets, Tas Melis, Trey Kirby (TK), JD (Producer)
Podcast: No Dunks (iHeartPodcasts)
Episode Overview
This Monday episode of No Dunks breaks down the NBA’s biggest weekend winners and losers, delves into standout player performances, key injuries, All-Star campaigns, trade rumors, and some fun NBA milestones. The hosts bring their trademark humor, deep stat dives, and debate about who deserves recognition after an eventful slate of games. From Jaylen Brown’s sizzling night to Joel Embiid’s celebrated first dunk of the season, to the utter misfortunes of Jalen Suggs—nothing is off the table.
Key Segments & Discussion Points
1. Weekend Wedgies Update (03:19)
- The pod kicks off with excitement about two rare “wedgies” (shots stuck between rim and backboard)—one by Grizzlies rookie Cedric Coward and another by Drew Eubanks (his second of the season, 29th overall for the pod’s tracking).
2. NBA Weekend Winners
Jaylen Brown: The Two-Way Maestro (04:09–11:14)
- Stat Line & Storyline: 50-point game vs. Clippers. Brown addresses All-Star snubs, tweeting "smh" and “best two way player in the game.”
- Defensive Assignment: Took on guarding a scorching Kawhi Leonard, showing off his improved handle and midrange game.
- Fun Fact: Attributed some of his footwork to taking salsa lessons with singer Victoria Monét (05:37).
- Quote (Jaylen Brown via TK, 07:00): “His handle is much better. The guy had to wear a Michael Jackson silver glove during the dunk contest because people were clowning him for his left hand. And now he’s reliably getting to his left hand…”
- All-NBA/MVP Buzz: Hosts argue he’s a lock for All-NBA, possibly MVP ballots.
- Quote (TK, 07:45): “Have a seat at the bar. Maybe you'll get to sit at the table by the end of the year.”
- Analysis: Brown’s efficiency is especially praised; despite taking on a bigger offensive load, he hasn’t upped his 3-point volume, instead leaning on a killer midrange.
Michael Porter Jr.: Big in Brooklyn, Big Trade Bait? (11:18–18:28)
- Performance: 27/11/5 against old team Denver; playing a bigger role as a ball-handler with the Nets.
- Trade Market Talk: MPJ cited as the best tradeable star for playoff teams. Jake Fischer linked him to the Warriors, Pistons, Bucks, and Bulls.
- Quote (TK, 18:01): “There might be a bidding war for MPJ and that is great for the Brooklyn Nets…”
- Nets’ Dilemma: Should they deal him for more picks/youth, or keep a 27-year-old flourishing in a featured role?
- Hosts’ Thoughts: Split on how likely a blockbuster is this trade deadline—several teams could use his skills.
Deni Avdija & the Portland Trail Blazers: International All-Star Push (21:46–27:28)
- Performance: Avdija with a near triple-double average over the weekend as injury-hit Blazers notched two wins.
- Fan Voting Controversy: Deni’s All-Star campaign driven by international fan support; debate over if he’s more deserving than Alperen Sengun.
- Quote (TK, 24:46): “He’s an All-Star. Absolutely. I totally agree with that. The team is built around him...”
- Blazers Young Core: Praise for Clingan (big offensive rebound numbers, surprise 3-point shooting), and the frontcourt’s fit. Concerns for Scoot Henderson’s development; Sharpe’s handle.
Phoenix Suns Overcome Thunder, Led by Devin Booker & Jordan Goodwin (28:29–36:22)
- Game Recap: Down 18 to OKC, Suns storm back with an 18–2 run. Booker orchestrates, but only 5 made field goals. Goodwin hits a career-high 8 threes with a mask on!
- Role Players Step Up: Jordan Goodwin and Dylan Brooks (big 4th Q threes) praised for defense, hustle, and shot-making.
- Quote (TK, 31:42): “I couldn’t believe Jordan Goodwin was shooting this well with a mask on his face. Eight threes with a mask on his face.”
- Thunder's 70-win Pace Over? Hosts note OKC (30–6) is slowing—plus-220 for 70 wins “a no-go.”
- Note: The Suns’ grit and scrappiness highlighted as a top NBA storyline.
Joel Embiid—Winner for Finally Dunking! (36:22–40:05)
- Moment: Embiid gets his first dunk of the year (25 seconds left, vs. Knicks), celebrating it “like an NBA championship.”
- Quote (Nurse via TK, 36:50): “You saw Joel wanted to get a dunk. It was a pretty cheap way of getting it, I think. But at least we know he can still dunk…”
- Performance: 26 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast, 8 screen assists. Hosts highlight his chemistry with Maxey and rookie Edgecombe; Embiid now has one dunk on the season, trailing Paul George (2).
- Philadelphia Outlook: Sixers are becoming more dynamic, Embiid “is smiling,” enjoying sharing the offensive load.
- Quote (TK, 41:30): “Great to see Joel Embiid just smiling… this is a new Joel Embiid.”
Father-Son NBA Milestone: The Currys' Longevity (42:12–46:34)
- News: Steph and Dell Curry set the record for most games played by an NBA father-son duo (2,135), surpassing Dolph and Danny Schayes.
- Fun Trivia: Dell has still played more games than Steph; Seth Curry could soon become the third family member with 1,000 career threes.
3. NBA Weekend Losers
Jalen Suggs: A “Poopfêcta” of Bad Luck (51:46–56:17)
- Three Strikes:
- Headband Ban: NBA tells Suggs he can’t start games with his headband around his neck (“football drip”).
- Dunked On: Posterized by Bulls’ Mata Spuzelis (“instant nominee for dunk of the year,” Stacy King’s call lauded).
- Injury: Suffered a grade 1 MCL contusion after only two games back from another injury; out indefinitely.
- Quote (Skeets, 53:45): “Guy got told to stop wearing the cool choker headband. He got his ass dunked on and then he got hurt… the only positive news is the Magic did bounce back on Sunday.”
- **Suggs is key to Orlando’s success; Anthony Black and Jace Richardson need to step up in his absence.
Clippers: Defensive Woes & Derrick Jones Jr. Injury (60:13–63:06)
- Summary: Clippers lose to Boston (146-⸺), giving up 24 threes, and lose Derrick Jones Jr. (6+ weeks, MCL), a key defensive piece.
- Quote (Tas, 61:49): “He is a bit of an energy spark off the bench. He’ll guard anybody… now he’s out for a long period of time for an older basketball team.”
- Team Needs: Athleticism, perimeter defense, and consistency—Zubac looked slow and team can’t afford another losing streak.
Memphis Grizzlies: Clutch Failures & Ja Morant Woes (64:03–70:16)
- Week Recap: Double losses to the Lakers, both close until the 4th quarter.
- Clutch Performance: Memphis 8–13 in clutch games, struggling to generate offense; Jaren Jackson Jr. with a paltry 4 rebounds in 64 minutes over two games.
- Ja Morant: In and out of the lineup—hasn’t played more than six straight games since early 2023; team is 6–12 with him.
- Quote (Skeets, 66:29): “John Morant has not played more than six in a row since February and March of 2023. I couldn’t believe that.”
- Outlook: Major disappointment for a team that expected to compete; speculative talk about whether Morant or JJJ are happy long-term in Memphis.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- Jaylen Brown Salsa (midrange/footwork): "He literally said, I did salsa the day before, so my footwork was good." – Tas, 05:37
- Joel Embiid’s Dunk Drought Ended: “He celebrated it like he won an NBA championship...” – TK, 36:26
- Jalen Suggs’ ‘Poopfêcta’: “He got told to stop wearing the cool choker headband. He got his ass dunked on and then he got hurt…” – Skeets, 53:45
- Derrick Jones Jr. Key Loss: “He is a bit of an energy spark off the bench. He’ll guard anybody… now he’s out for a long period of time for an older basketball team...” – Tas, 61:49
Fun/Quirky Highlights
- Dunk Score Stat Debates: Extended riffing on “dunk score” metrics for poster dunks (56:13–59:12).
- Curry Family Trivia: Father-son, and possibly three shooters in the 1,000 3s club.
- Is the Neck part of the Head? Tangent regarding headbands and anatomy (54:12).
- NBA Streaming: Discussion about NBC/Peacock streaming logistics (76:03).
- JJ Redick Memes: “I don’t know what else to do” graphic might become a NBA meme.
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Jaylen Brown’s weekend & salsa talk: 04:09–11:14
- Michael Porter Jr. trade rumors: 11:18–18:28
- Deni Avdija/Blazers discussion: 21:46–27:28
- Suns/Thunder, Booker & Goodwin: 28:29–36:22
- Joel Embiid’s first dunk celebration: 36:22–40:05
- Curry Family Milestone: 42:12–46:34
- Jalen Suggs: From headband trouble to injury: 51:46–56:17
- Clippers’ collapse & Jones Jr. injury: 60:13–63:06
- Grizzlies’ clutch problems & Ja Morant streak: 64:03–70:16
Tone & Style
High-energy, irreverent, plenty of inside jokes and allusions to NBA culture and memes. The hosts blend analytics with “eye test” observations and embrace both the serious and silly sides of the league.
For First-Time Listeners / Quick Takeaways
- Biggest Winner: Jaylen Brown – all-around dominance, taking all the right steps toward possible MVP nods.
- Biggest Loser: Jalen Suggs – unlucky trifecta of headwear, humiliation, and injury.
- Trade Watch: Michael Porter Jr. could be the biggest name gettable before the deadline.
- Most Fun: Suns are for real. Joel Embiid still dunks—sometimes.
- Stat of the Pod: Steph and Dell Curry are the NBA’s iron man family.
"The neck is not part of the head." – Tas Melis (78:11)