No Dunks Podcast Summary

Lakers Enter Flow State, Cade's Collapsed Lung & NBA Draft Prospects To Watch

Date: March 19, 2026
Hosts: Skeets, Tas, Trey, JD

Episode Overview

This episode of No Dunks dives deep into the latest NBA happenings, including the shocking Cade Cunningham injury, the Lakers’ impressive flow and clutch wins, some surprising game results around the league, and a comprehensive primer on must-watch NBA draft prospects as March Madness tips off. The hosts bring their trademark banter, energy, and insider perspective to discuss MVP races, playoff impacts, and college standouts.

Major Topics & Insights

Cade Cunningham’s Collapsed Lung (02:57–09:22)

• Breaking News: Pistons’ star Cade Cunningham diagnosed with a collapsed lung, expected to miss “a period of weeks.”

  • Left previous game after contact with Trey Johnson III. Initially called “back spasms.” Severity still uncertain.
  • Comparable player recoveries: Gerald Wallace (3 weeks), Terrence Jones (2 weeks), CJ McCollum (4 weeks).

• Playoff Implications:

  • Detroit’s season in jeopardy if Cade misses significant time; could fall out of awards and All-NBA races.
  • “If they don't have Cade at full strength, they got no chance.” – Skeets (04:46)
  • Pistons have a 5-game cushion for the 1-seed but face tough first-round opponents without Cade.
  • “If you said several [weeks], it’s three or more. But in this case, we don’t know.” – Tas (06:08)

• Rotational Depth: Pistons are 5-2 without Cade, but competition was not elite.

Lakers in a Flow State: LeBron & Luka’s Masterclass (09:23–22:11)

• Game Recap: Lakers beat the Rockets for a 7th straight win; LeBron (30 pts, 6 dunks), Luka Doncic (40 pts) dominate.

  • Both bring energy, clutch plays in the fourth quarter.
  • Luka’s jaw-dropping behind-the-back move and alley-oop to LeBron: “He was laughing, dancing, talking to people in the front row.” – Skeets (09:23)
  • “He’s 41 years old. This guy dunked six times in a game.” – Tas (10:13)
  • LeBron’s athletic longevity and adaptation—now a play-finisher, off-ball threat.

• Clutch Dominance:

  • “Luka generated 15 straight points for the Lakers over four minutes. That really blew this game out for LA.” – Skeets (12:52)
  • Rockets’ fourth-quarter struggles: “They still don’t have a good fourth quarter offense in Houston.” – Skeets (13:44)

• Lakers' Supporting Cast & Coaching:

  • Praise for Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, bench depth.
  • J.J. Redick lauded for effective in-game motivation: “He calls them shifts... just three more shifts. He’s just making them think a certain way and it’s obviously working.” – Tas (17:16)

• Playoff Pyramid and Contender Status:

  • Lakers possibly leapfrogging Denver and Minnesota into the 2nd tier behind the Spurs.
  • “They’re looking more and more like a realistic piece of the pie title contender.” – Skeets (17:52)
  • Magic Johnson weighs in: “The Lakers are contenders in the West because of their outstanding improvement on defense.” (19:20)

• MVP Race Update:

  • Luka probably 4th behind SGA, Jokic, and Wemby: “He's going to lead the league in scoring... putting up 40 every night. The clutch record will definitely help with getting him votes.” – Skeets (20:16)

Notable Moment

• LeBron’s six dunks – “most in a game in nine years” (12:02)
• Magic Johnson is “actually tweeting takes” about the Lakers (19:20)

Surprising Outcomes & Standings Shake-up (25:05–34:50)

Nuggets’ Brutal Loss to Grizzlies

• Nuggets fall to Memphis (missing their “Ross Per”—roster—of centers), giving up big games to Ty Jerome and Gigi Jackson.
  • “They just do not have the quickness to stick with anybody who can handle the ball on the perimeter and get their own shot.” – Skeets (25:33)
  • Jokic had 10 turnovers: “That's embarrassing for a guy like him.” – Skeets (30:23)
  • Noted championship teams have slumped late before, so “maybe they can flip the switch.”

Pelicans Best Clippers

• Sadiq Bey (25) and Trey Murphy (23) lead Pelicans past the Clippers.
  • Optimism for the Pelicans running it back if everyone is healthy.

Other Game Notes

• Hawks on an 11-game win streak; blowout wins for Celtics, Thunder, Raptors, Blazers, and Timberwolves.
• SGA extends 20-point streak; “Couldn't totally tell, but it didn't look like there was a single drop of sweat anywhere on his body.” – Skeets (34:50)
• Jonathan Kuminga hits a 75-foot basket – 6th longest on record (38:11)

Giannis Injury Saga: To Sit or Not? (39:44–43:53)

• Bucks want to shut down Giannis for the year, but he refuses.
  • Organizational logic: protect trade value, avoid unnecessary injury.
  • “Of course he wants to keep playing. That’s who he is.” – Tas (40:23)
  • “Ultimately, I think Giannis will play because the Bucks want most of all to please him.” – Skeets (41:40)
  • Standings-wise, Bucks are all but eliminated from the play-in.
  • Complex pick/loss incentives mean not much changes regardless; “They're finishing the ninth or tenth spot, no matter if Giannis plays or not.” – Tas (46:58)

NBA Draft: Top Prospects to Watch in March Madness (47:46–76:21)

Top 10 Draft Prospects (by Trey Kirby)

Players in this year’s NCAA tourney, broken down into tiers.

1. Cameron Boozer (Duke, F)

• “Looks like the strongest man on earth…great passer…probably going to be the player of the year.”
• Comps: “Tim Duncan of Antoine Walkers” – (Danny Chow, The Ringer), “Safest bet in the class.” – (Sam Vecenie)
• “I’m a Boozer guy.” – Skeets (49:07)
• [Plays Sienna, 2:50pm ET]

2. AJ Debanza/DebonSA (BYU, G/F)

• “Sometimes he looks like Tracy McGrady. Sometimes RJ Barrett.”
• Athletic scorer, defensive motor in question.
• “Imagine Pascal Siakam bonded to and emboldened by an alien life form.” – Skeets (51:43 quoting Chow)
• [Plays Texas, 7:25pm ET]

3. Darren Peterson (Kansas, G)

• Crampy legs, minutes restrictions; “A little less athletic than in high school, but awesome player. Deep bag.”
• Concerns about injury vs motor, but high ceiling.
• [Plays Cal Baptist, tomorrow]

4. Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas, G)

• “Not a crazy athlete, but an absolute bucket.”
• Comps: “Darren Williams”, “Jamal Murray.”
• “He was U of I legend. 23 per game, 6.5 assists, 45% from 3.”

5. Kingston Flemings (Houston, G)

• “Speed demon, questionable jumper.”
• Comps: “Kevin Johnson and Steve Francis.”
• “The first Flemings in NBA history.”

6. Keaton Wagler (Illinois, G)

• Tall, not explosive but crafty; “little bit of Kevin Martin, Austin Reaves.”
• “I like a tall point guard, too.” – E (59:19)

7. Braden Buries (Arizona, G)

• “Drew Holiday style, do-it-all point guard.”
• Defense, leadership, “good at everything, not great at anything.”
• “Can he dunk? If he can, we’re calling him Braden Bunnies.” – E (64:42)

8. Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan, F)

• Old, physical, “man strength,” “switchable on defense, 7'4 wingspan at 6'9.”
• “The Yaxle is strong on the chassis. Maybe he’ll get drafted to the Pistons.” – Skeets/E (67:02)

9. Dalen Swain (Texas, F)

• “Gets buckets, one-on-one player, good athlete;” comped to Naji Marshall.
• “Some people don’t have this guy as a lottery pick, so I got me a guy deep.” – Skeets (74:25)

10. LeBaron Phylon (Alabama, G)

• Sophomore, scoring guard, comps: “Ryan Rollins, Andrew Nembhard, Dennis Schroeder.”

• “Ability to ramp up or scale back usage.”

• Draft Class Themes:

  • Heavy guard class, some versatile forwards.
  • “There’s going to be flaws with everyone outside the top three.” – Skeets (57:21)
  • Prospects discussed in the context of how they fit lottery team needs.
  • Fun asides about unique prospect names and potential callouts/nicknames.

Fun Tangent: How Many Times Could an NBA Player Spin in the Air?

• “We’ve never seen a 720 in the dunk contest. Do you think NBA players could spin three times before landing?” – Skeets (68:13)
• "Let's see this at All-Star Weekend: How many spins can you do?" – Skeets (75:55)

Other Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Lakers’ Championship Potential:

  • “They’re looking more and more like a realistic piece of the pie title contender.” – Skeets (17:52)

• On Jokic’s Tough Night:

  • “He’s just been really sloppy... 10 is embarrassing for a guy like him.” – Skeets (30:23)

• On Hockey vs Basketball athleticism (fun debate):

  • “You would not put Connor McDavid anywhere near Russell Westbrook in year 18 as an athlete.” – Skeets (71:41)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:57 – Cade Cunningham injury and playoff impact
• 09:23 – Lakers’ clutch win, LeBron & Luka highlights, “flow state”
• 17:24 – Lakers’ title tier/straw poll, Magic Johnson’s tweet
• 20:04 – Luka’s place in the MVP race
• 25:05 – Nuggets and Clippers' surprising losses, playoff implications
• 34:50 – Blowouts & bizarre moments (SGA streak, Kuminga's long shot)
• 39:44 – Giannis/Bucks drama about injury shutdown
• 47:46 – March Madness, NBA draft prospects primer (list starts at 48:00)
• 62:49– Fun tangents: athlete speed, “triple axel” challenge for NBA players
• 75:41 – Top 10 prospects list concluding, closing banter

Final Thoughts

The No Dunks crew delivers thoughtful, energetic analysis of the biggest NBA news with plenty of trademark humor—from playoff implications and MVP narratives to which NCAA stars to watch. The segment on draft prospects is in-depth, accessible, and full of useful comp names and viewing tips for March Madness. For NBA fans prepping for playoffs and draft season alike, this episode brings both laughs and serious hoops insights.

Quotables:

• “If they don't have Cade at full strength, they got no chance.” – Skeets (04:46)
• “He’s 41 years old. This guy dunked six times in a game.” – Tas (10:13)
• “Luka generated 15 straight points over four minutes. That really blew this game out for LA.” – Skeets (12:52)
• “The Lakers are contenders in the West because of their outstanding improvement on defense.” – Magic Johnson (19:20, via Twitter)
• “There’s going to be flaws with everybody outside of the top three.” – Skeets (57:21)
• “Let’s see who can spin the most times in the air at All-Star Weekend.” – Skeets (75:55)

Want more? Tune in for an hour-plus of basketball nerdery and classic No Dunks chemistry.