No Dunks Podcast Summary

"Awarding Gold Medals To Last Night’s Best Games & Performances"

Date: February 12, 2026
Hosts: JE Skeets, Tas Melas, Trey Kirby, JD

Episode Overview

The No Dunks crew brings Olympic fever to NBA coverage by awarding gold, silver, and bronze "medals" to the league’s most outstanding games and performances from a jam-packed 14-game slate. Surging teams, surprising individual outbursts, brutal tank jobs, and major NBA news all get the comedic and insightful No Dunks treatment. The guys debate NBA Hall of Fame odds, discuss odd headlines, and set the stage for NBA All-Star weekend, with their unique blend of expertise, irreverence, and nostalgia.

Medal Podium: Best Games & Performances

Gold Medal Performances

1. Los Angeles Clippers vs. Houston Rockets

• Recipient: Clippers, especially Kawhi Leonard
• Why: Kawhi exploded for 19 points in the 4th, capped by a spinning, game-winning and-1 with two seconds left.
• Defensive Impact: “...really it was their energetic defense that got this thing going.” – Tas (03:12)
• Turnover Battle: Clippers forced 21 turnovers; Durant (on Houston) had 8 alone.
• Notable Stats: Clippers outscored Rockets 22-2 in fast break points.
• Quote: “What can you say about this guy now? 33 straight games of 20 plus points. Pretty good.” – Tas (04:53)
• Timestamps: Clippers segment starts at [02:54]

2. Indiana Pacers vs. Brooklyn Nets (Tankathon Classic)

• Recipient: Pacers and Nets – highlighted for their tank tactics and developmental minutes.
• Game Story: Pacers, missing key players, came back from 18 down to snag a "tank win" over Brooklyn, featuring practically anonymous lineups.
• Young Standouts: Nolan Traore (20 pts, 8 rebs), Jägor Joman (13 pts, 5 ast for Nets) impressed.
• Quote: “Shameless tanking from the Pacers, but it came back to bite them in the end. A fun game though.” – Trey (07:59)
• Timestamps: Segment begins [07:07]

3. Charlotte Hornets vs. Atlanta Hawks

• Recipient: Brandon Miller (“Bucky”)
• Why: Miller tallied 31 pts, 9 rebs, 5 threes, plus two vicious dunks despite Charlotte being shorthanded.
• Clutch Moment: Made crucial plays late, including a great defensive stop.
• History Watch: Miller tied Kemba Walker’s franchise record for consecutive made free throws (53).
• Fan/Energy: “The crowd is really getting behind this team, which is pretty fun here.” – Skeets (13:00)
• Quote: “Brandon Miller is hooping during the winter here too. Maybe Soldier and Brandon Miller? We don’t want to make that correlation. Possibly. But Bucky, I don’t know, works.” – Skeets (15:23)
• Timestamps: Segment begins [10:17]

Silver Medal Performances

1. Utah Jazz vs. Sacramento Kings

• Recipient: Jazz, especially Jaren Jackson Jr. (in his home debut)
• Story: Jazz dominated shorthanded Kings; JJJ had 23 pts in 22 mins wearing #20 for his dad, didn’t play in 4th.
• Team Note: Jazz now 2-0 after accused tanking.
• Kings: “You simply can’t outtank the Kings. It’s impossible. 14 straight losses for them.” – Trey (19:43)
• Timestamps: [17:43]

2. Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls

• Recipient: Nikola Vucevic in his “revenge game” vs. Bulls
• Performance: 19 pts, 11 rebs, +26 in 26 mins; exploited Nick Richards all night.
• Celtic Notes: Jalen Brown (24 pts), Peyton Pritchard (26 pts, 8 ast), Celtics rolling.
• Quote: “Vuch dominated. I got a text from my stepbrother saying haha, revenge game. In your face.” – Trey (21:45)
• Timestamps: [21:45]

3. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards

• Recipient: Cavs (Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Sam Merrill)
• Highlights: Harden’s home debut (11 ast), Mitchell had his third straight 30-pt game, Sam Merrill (32 pts, 9-10 from deep, 26 1st-half pts) stole the show.
• Synergy: “The playmaking burden is just not on [Mitchell] anymore. He can just get back to scoring, baby.” – Skeets (25:05)
• Team Vibes: Cavs celebrating Merrill’s performance, bench “splashes,” Harden’s elite passing highlighted.
• Quote: “The vibes are quite high in Cleveland right now. They are having a great time.” – Trey (25:28)
• Timestamps: [23:50]

Bronze Medal Performances

1. Milwaukee Bucks vs. Orlando Magic

• Recipient: Cam Thomas (Bucks)
• Performance: 34 pts with a huge 3rd quarter (15 pts in 5 mins). Bucks close on a 10-2 run w/ Giannis out.
• Role Players: Usman Jang & Jericho Sims (17 pts each).
• Magic Disappointments: “Every single guy that gets the ball for an important shot, I’m like, that’s not going in.” – Trey (31:34)
• Commentary: “You would not have believed me if I said these three were leading the Bucks to a win over the Magic in February…” – Lisa Byington (30:15)
• Timestamps: [28:26]

2. New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers

• Recipient: Knicks—Carl Towns, Mitchell Robinson, José Alvarado
• Domination: Knicks won by 51, led by Towns (21/11/5) and big three-point shooting (20/44 3P).
• Alvarado’s Energy: 26 pts, 8 threes, multiple steals, and infectious hustle.
• 73:46: “Jose Alvarado, man, they’re chanting for this guy in the. They are going the opposition’s barn here. Wait till he has one of these games in Madison Square Garden.” – Skeets (34:03)
• Sixers Concern: “A little bit worrisome that Joel Embiid didn’t play... time to worry about the knee a little bit?” – Tas (33:18)
• Timestamps: [32:03]

3. San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors

• Recipient: Spurs—De’Aaron Fox & Victor Wembanyama
• Performance: Spurs ended on a 6-game win streak, overtaking Warriors thanks to Fox’s 27/8 and Wemby’s late-game dominance (blocks, transition dunks, threes).
• Historical Note: Spurs on track for a 20+ win increase over last year.
• Quote: “The Spurs didn’t just win, they imposed themselves. Love that.” – Skeets (36:12)
• Title Contender Debate: “Does it add up to—the Spurs are a title contender? They’ve never played a playoff series.” – Trey (37:22)
• Timestamps: [35:54]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Brandon Miller, Trey, he’s coming for that best Brandon ever award.” – Skeets (10:39)
• Eric Collins’ “chicken salad” call when the Hornets rescued ugly possessions (17:20)
• Bucky Barnes nickname for Brandon Miller, with extended Marvel riff and discussion (15:23–16:43)
• “Shameless tanking” and “literally who knows who will play for any of these teams?” – Trey (08:00)
• Lisa Byington’s broadcast comment on odd Bucks leading scorers – Trey quotes at (30:15)
• Questioning NBA lottery odds and the futility of finishing with league’s worst record – Skeets/Trey (21:25–21:36)
• Kawhi’s game-winner and the “double luge” baseball-style series (02:54–05:16)

News & Headlines: “Is This News?” Segment

[41:44]

• Hall of Fame Finalists Announced
  • WNBA headliners Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne likely in.
  • NBA focus: Blake Griffin & Amar’e Stoudemire have “identical cases... both five-time All-NBA, six-time All-Stars and Rookies of the Year.” – Trey (43:22)
  • “If one of them goes in, the other has to go in. That’s how—where I’m at...” – Skeets (44:14)
• Spurs waive Jeremy Sochan
  • Rare for a top-10 pick to be let go so early. Team need for shooting; speculation he’ll land on Bulls.
• Warriors food story: Kaminga’s camp mooched food
  • “Not news until we know what the food is...” – Trey (48:15)
  • Highlights player/coach disconnect. Players had Kaminga’s back on social.
• Celebrity 3-Point Contest (Fri night): Jared McCain to shoot vs. Drewski, TikTokers, etc.
• Jaren Jackson Jr. (Jazz) injury: Season-ending surgery due to PVNS found post-trade (56:37)
• All-Star Entertainment:
  • John Tesh to perform “Roundball Rock” live to intro the All-Star Game [59:07]
  • Ludacris to perform Sat. night before Dunk Contest
  • “We’ll be standing up. We’ll be throwing both (fists).” – Skeets (59:56)
• Discussion: Dream Luda setlist, John Tesh’s iconic legacy, All-Star broadcast nostalgia.

Additional Notes

• Wedgie Watch: 47th of the season, aiming for 50 by All-Star break (00:24)
• All-Star Weekend Info:
  • All events start early (5pm Eastern).
  • No Dunks live watch parties on both Sat and Sun.
  • Olympic/All-Star hybrid anticipation, with unique scheduling.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:24] Wedgie Watch / All-Star fever intro
• [02:54] Clippers – Rockets (Gold Medal)
• [07:07] Pacers – Nets (Gold Medal/Tankathon)
• [10:17] Hornets – Hawks (Gold Medal/Brandon Miller)
• [17:43] Jazz – Kings (Silver Medal)
• [21:45] Celtics – Bulls (Silver Medal)
• [23:50] Cavs – Wizards (Silver Medal)
• [28:26] Bucks – Magic (Bronze Medal)
• [32:03] Knicks – 76ers (Bronze Medal)
• [35:54] Spurs – Warriors (Bronze Medal)
• [41:44] Headlines/Is This News?
• [56:37] Jaren Jackson Jr. injury update
• [59:07] All-Star halftime/entertainment
• [62:27] Woah Boy (Sam Merrill), NBA Weekend Wrap

Tone & Style

• Language: Casual, full of nicknames (“Bucky,” “Vuch”), humor, playful rivalry, and digressions (movies, Marvel, music).
• Chemistry: Lifelong fans riffing without scripts, poking fun while dropping real insight.
• Engagement: Repeated calls for audience input (“Let us know if Bucky works!”), anticipation for All-Star festivities.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is a vibrant, fast-paced recap that cleverly reframes an ordinary midseason NBA slate as an Olympic-style podium ceremony. You’ll hear why Kawhi Leonard is quietly on a historic run, how gold can emerge from the G League (Nolan Traore!), and what “Bucky” means to Charlotte. There’s also plenty of irreverence, nostalgia for NBA on NBC, and anticipation for All-Star Weekend's quirky festivities.

If you want games and performances broken down with both analysis and laughs, and you crave All-Star weekend buzz, this episode is essential listening—or reading!