No Dunks Podcast — Episode Summary

NBA Weekend Winners & Losers | Scrappy Warriors, Jalen 'Big' Johnson, Franz Wagner's Leg Injury

Date: December 8, 2025
Hosts: Skeets, Tas, Trey, JD

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of No Dunks recaps the standout NBA storylines and performances from the weekend, using the podcast’s signature “Winners & Losers” format. The crew discusses impressive runs by shorthanded teams, breakout performers like Jalen Johnson, milestones for NBA stars, and notable mishaps—blending in stats, hot takes, and plenty of humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Golden State Warriors: Surviving & Thriving Without Steph Curry

[03:35]

• Tas: The Warriors won two games this weekend—without Steph Curry—and several other key players. They beat both the Cavs and Bulls by relying on depth and defensive intensity.
  • “The Golden State Warriors are surviving without Steph Curry right now. They won two games without him this weekend on a back to back … they don’t have Steph … but they got depth, they got people chipping in.” [03:35]
• Pat Spencer and Brandon Podziemski got spotlighted for their movement, hustle, and surprising offensive contributions.
  • Spencer’s catchphrase: “I’m a mother—er,” [05:08] dropped after clutch threes, is catching on.
• Jonathan Kuminga benched due to poor isolation play; Draymond Green seen coaching him up on the bench.
• Trey: Pointed out the Warriors’ elite recent defense: “They’ve held their opponents under 100 points in four of the last five games.” [07:58]
• Joking about team’s “Browntown” style jerseys and calling Pat Spencer a “full namer”—“He doesn’t look like a murderer. He looks like a cop.” [07:29]
• Trade eligibility of Kuminga: “He’s long gone. That’s what Draymond’s whispering in his ear: keep your trade value up because you’re getting shipped out for sure.” [08:51]

2. Boston Celtics: The Hottest Team (Non-OKC Division)

[10:19]

• Trey: Boston has won 5 straight, 7 of their last 8, climbing to 3rd in the East. Achieving this without Jayson Tatum, Horford, Drew Holiday, and Porzingis.
• Their success comes from elite three-point shooting:
  • “It’s by making three-pointers—20 against Toronto, 24 against the Lakers. Third straight games with 20 or more made threes.” [11:45]
• Derrick White and Peyton Pritchard have stepped up with increased scoring and efficiency.
• Jordan Walsh’s energy and defense have given the team extra possessions and set the tone.
  • “Just does the dirty work. … His scrappiness has been big-time for Boston.” [11:56]
• Celtics going small, creative lineups from Joe Mazzulla.
• Task: “Jordan Walsh, I think from the get go, just had this Boston Celtics team clicking and fighting and scrapping.” [13:04]
• Discussion of Raptors’ struggles and injury concerns.
• Skeets: Highlights Celtics’ resilience despite turnover:
  • “They have a great record. I think a lot of people thought that record would be flipped at this point.” [14:20]

3. OKC Thunder: Historically Hot Start

[16:36]

• Won 15 straight, now 23-1, third team in NBA history to start 23-1.
• “They could be a winners of the weekend every Monday here on No Dunks.” [16:36]

4. Jalen ‘Big’ Johnson’s Ascension in Atlanta

[20:18]

• Skeets: Jalen Johnson notched back-to-back triple-doubles; his 11/10/12 in the 1st half Friday was 2nd fastest triple-double in NBA history.
  • “Took him like 16 minutes and 44 seconds. Only guy to do ever faster… Jokic.” [20:54]
• Saturday: 30/12/12 in a win, shooting efficiently.
• Sixth career triple-double, moving up Hawks all-time ranks.
  • Historical notes: Only Hawk with more triple-doubles is Mookie Blaylock (7).
• Crew blinds ranks the All-Star Jalens of the East (Brunson, Brown, Johnson, Duren).
• Trey: On Johnson: “He’s averaging 23, 11 and 8. Shooting splits are unreal at this point.” [23:49]
• Hawks have several players in career-best shooting form.
• Skeets: Regrets from the Charlotte Hornets’ draft:
  • “Would have been a nice addition to a Hornets team that could have used some talent…” [27:11]

5. Memphis Grizzlies & Cedric Coward’s Emergence

[27:59]

• Task & Trey: Rookie Cedric Coward praised for rugged, mature play, making an immediate impact as a starter.
  • “He can slice through little gaps, dribbling through. He can spin through. He can shoot over at times…” [28:29]
• Grizzlies winning 5 of 6, moving up play-in contention.
• Zach Edey’s return highlighted as stabilizing force in the interior.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves: ID’d by Nas Reid’s Game Winner [31:39]

• Trey: Nas Reid hit clutch shots, had 14 points in 4th against the Clippers, pushing Minnesota to 5 straight wins.
  • “Get your towels out, we’re going surfing with Nas Reid…” [31:41]
• Pointed out McDaniels’ offensive leap and Edwards’ struggles with increased defensive attention.
• Wolves’ defense remains strong, room to improve on offense.

7. New York Knicks: The Only “Cup-Ready” East Team [34:08]

• Skeets: Knicks stand out among Eastern Conference NBA Cup teams, only one playing well.
  • Dominant 23-0 start versus Jazz Friday, largest opening run since 1997.
  • OG Anunoby returns, Josh Hart shines.
• Viral/fun moments:
  • Mitchell Robinson plugging his TikTok: “You like trucks? Come follow me.” [36:11]
  • Josh Hart hands his child to Robinson live on TV: “I’m not babysitting here.” [36:19]
  • Walt Clyde Frazier’s mystified interview with “the Rizzler.”
• Trey:
  • “OG Anunoby is their key player because he unlocks the best version of the Knicks … and he makes plays defensively. … So when he plays, they look like they’re supposed to look.” [38:50]

NBA Weekend Losers

1. Franz Wagner & the Orlando Magic

[43:22]

• Trey: Wagner suffered an ugly leg injury after a hard fall; he’s expected to miss significant time.
  • “Ugly looking injury for Franz Wagner. The way he grabbed his leg instantly … Limped off the court, being held by Mo and another teammate. It was just bad.” [44:11]
• Bad timing: Magic had just gotten Paolo Banchero back; Franz was leading team in scoring and heading toward All-Star status.
• Magic will need Paolo to return to primary scoring role.

2. Portland Trail Blazers & Chauncey Billups

[49:28]

• Task: Billups sold his house; indicators suggest he won’t return to coaching Blazers amidst ongoing legal case.
  • “It looks like he ain’t coming back to the Portland Trail Blazers. It sure feels that way.” [49:28]
• Trey critiques the Blazers’ lack of progress: “They never had a winning record when he was there … still going to need to upgrade on the talent side of things.” [51:46]

3. Statisticians—Burdened by Milestones [55:28]

Skeets:

• Kevin Durant becomes 8th player to reach 31,000 points; Harden enters top 10 all-time scoring, passes Carmelo; Westbrook moves up to 17th.
• “These guys and gals, they must be pulling their hair out every time they make the list. It’s like, oh, God damn it, gotta change it again.” [55:28]

James Harden’s Influence

• Trey:
  • “James Harden is the second most influential player of his generation. Number one, Steph Curry.” [57:35]
  • Harden’s stepback, foul-drawing, and “unguardability” cited as shaping the modern guard archetype.

4. NBA Miscellaneous Losers

• Utah’s Smoke Machine Mishap (arena clouded with fog, [61:38])
• Washington’s Cam Whitmore getting a DNP-CD and being compared to Cam Reddish (“Fajitas” as a new nickname).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I'm a mother—er” — Pat Spencer, on finding his NBA confidence [05:08]
• “You gotta call him full name. Pat Spencer. He doesn’t look like a murderer. He looks like a cop.” — Trey [07:29]
• “He’s a legit kid, just with a lot of charisma. Twizzlers.” — Skeets, on The Rizzler [41:10]
• “OG Anunoby is their key player because he unlocks the best version of the Knicks.” — Trey [38:50]
• “Ugly looking injury for Franz Wagner. … It was just bad.” — Trey [44:11]

Notable Timestamps

• [03:35] — Warriors’ shorthanded success, Pat Spencer ascendance
• [10:19] — Celtics’ offensive surge, Jordan Walsh’s impact
• [16:36] — OKC Thunder’s historic win streak
• [20:18] — Jalen Johnson’s back-to-back triple-doubles, Hawks history
• [27:59] — Cedric Coward’s emergence in Memphis
• [31:39] — Timberwolves’ comeback, Nas Reid’s heroics
• [34:08] — Knicks’ dominant and fun weekend, viral bench moments
• [43:22] — Franz Wagner’s injury & impact on Magic
• [49:28] — Billups sells house, Blazers’ coaching future
• [55:28] — Scoring leaks: KD, Harden, Westbrook climbing all-time ranks
• [57:35] — Harden’s stylistic influence discussed

Overall Tone & Style

The pod mixes serious analysis, deep NBA knowledge, and irreverent humor. The hosts riff on funny moments, provide stats, react with genuine fan energy, and never shy from some inside jokes or trivia.

Conclusion

No Dunks delivers another rapid-fire, info-packed Monday recap—highlighting surging teams like the Celtics, Timberwolves, and Knicks, marveling at Jalen Johnson’s star turn, and lamenting injury and off-court woes. The episode is a smorgasbord of NBA goodness, embracing both hard stats and viral moments, all with the hosts’ signature camaraderie.

For more NBA recaps, debates, and deep dives, subscribe to No Dunks and join the sweet world!