No Dunks: NBA Weekend Winners & Losers | Tatum's Return, An Emotional Wemby, Maxey's Pinkie Finger

Podcast: No Dunks (iHeartPodcasts)
Date: March 9, 2026
Hosts: Jay Skeets, Tas Melis, Trey Kirby, JD
Episode Theme: A lively, insightful rundown of NBA “weekend winners and losers,” focusing on key returnees (Jayson Tatum), breakout performances (Victor Wembanyama), critical injuries, and shifting playoff races.

Episode Overview

This episode unpacks a busy NBA weekend through the classic “winners and losers” lens. The hosts dissect Jayson Tatum’s long-awaited return and what it means for Boston, Victor Wembanyama’s emotional surge for San Antonio, rising teams in the East, headline-grabbing injuries, and the intensifying playoff picture. As always, the tone is playful, filled with basketball banter and sharp analysis, but the stakes—especially injuries and playoff seeding—are starting to feel real.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Three Wedgies in One Sunday! (06:12–08:12)

• The hosts open with a celebration of a niche phenomenon: three wedgies (when the ball gets stuck between rim and backboard) in a single night. Tre King ranks them, notably giving “block-wedgie” of Jacoby Walter special props:
  • "They're all snowflakes, but that one truly is a snowflake." (Trey Kirby, 07:42)
• Statistical note: 56 total wedgies this season, tracking for a possible all-time record.

NBA Weekend Winners

1. Jayson Tatum’s Return: Celtics Are Back (08:21–14:12)

• After months rehabbing an Achilles tear, Jayson Tatum returns for Boston and immediately makes an impact—even if not at midseason efficiency.
• Friday vs. Dallas: Rusty, misses first six shots but settles in, crowd erupts on key plays.
• Sunday vs. Cleveland: Looks more like “classic Tatum,” hunting mismatches, posting up, scoring 20 with clutch late buckets.
  • "The fact that he was this good coming off of his Achilles tear, that's exciting for the Celtics." (Trey, 09:04)
• Celebrated for all-around impact: rebounds (12, 3), playmaking, defense, and galvanizing the lineup.
• Celtics’ depth is also in focus—Baylor Scheierman and Peyton Pritchard have crucial moments off the bench.
  • "Pairing [Scheierman] with Pritchard... that's what this guy is made for. I think if they have the NBA one-on-one tournament, he would be like a top three player for me." (Trey Kirby, 13:25)
• Celtics move to favorites in the East (+190), with hosts noting Boston's versatility and Tatum’s “good at everything” skillset.
• Injury note: Vucavic breaks a finger but bench depth (Luka Garza) steps up.

2. Victor Wembanyama: Emotional Weekend, Spurs Surge (15:25–22:05)

• Wembanyama declares the last 30 hours the "best of my career" after an emotional comeback win vs. the Clippers (from down 25).
• Wemby was visibly exhausted, nearly fainting but amassed 27/10/4 in just 21 minutes, then "destroyed" Houston with highlight blocks and athletic finishes.
  • "He was so emotional after that win... but more importantly, he was talking up his teammates." (Trey, 15:41)
  • "He's not probably going to win the MVP this year... but he's absolutely going to be the favorite going into next season." (Tas, 19:50)
• Postgame, Wemby’s teary praise of rookie Carter Bryant and attention to detail (even tips on key rebounds and little plays) highlight his leadership and maturity.
• The crew marvels at Wemby's unique on-court moments: “no-look blocks,” “Tim Duncan turnarounds,” and freakish defensive rotations.
  • "He does every little tiny thing, but also he'll suck in the casual fan... Take your eyes off. Every reverse, every no-look block…" (Trey, 20:50)
• The hosts agree Wemby’s “big plays and little plays” are already changing standards for young stars and project MVPs in his future.

3. Paolo Banchero & The Orlando Magic: Quiet Surge in the East (27:16–30:29)

• Orlando Magic sweep two games against key opponents, largely thanks to Banchero’s breakout post-All-Star stretch: 26/9/6 on strong efficiency.
• "The big rig got tuned up... it's running clean." (Skeets, 28:14)
• Hosts credit Magic’s defensive backbone and improvement from contributors like Bain, Carter Jr., and Suggs during Franz Wagner’s absence.
• Context: Magic push for the 6th seed against the Heat, as Philly slides.

4. Lakers: Winning Without LeBron, Defense Steps Up (30:30–33:31)

• Lakers handle business against Pacers and notch a significant win over Knicks, all without LeBron James.
• "If you play a game at 4 o’clock on a Sunday, I'm going to be folding clothes during it. And this was a good one to watch while folding clothes." (Tas, 30:53)
• Luka and Reeves shine; Rui Hachimura and Ayton praised for defense and energy. Defensive lineups clicking without all three of LeBron, Luka, Reeves together.
• Lakers are 9-2 in games without LeBron, but with Luka and Reeves.

5. Miami Heat: Heating Up at the Perfect Time (34:00–39:26)

• Heat win two (Hornets, Pistons), climbing to seven games above .500 with key contributions across the board and the return of Tyler Herro (33 pts, 8/10 from three).
• Heat’s bench depth emerges (Haquez, Davion Mitchell), and Bam Adebayo moves into franchise lore:
  • "He became just the second Heat player to score 10,000 plus points with the franchise, joining Dwyane Wade." (Skeets, 39:09)
• Hosts debate the emerging Eastern Conference play-in and playoff races, with the Southeast Division suddenly “weirdly hot.”

6. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: MVP Case Strengthens (40:01–45:41)

• SGA remains the odds-on favorite for MVP, leading OKC to best record and a 5-0 stretch since his return.
• "He just like hits these like game-winning, usually threes now is what he's doing… steps back, splashes a three right in Draymond's face." (Skeets, 41:13)
• With Denver’s dip, and Cade Cunningham’s Pistons slumping, SGA’s stock rises.
• Fun banter: Is "Dr. Sauce" the right nickname for SGA? (44:17)

NBA Weekend Losers

1. Denver Nuggets: Snakebitten by Injuries (Again) (55:25–60:39)

• Nuggets blown out by Knicks (76 points in the paint allowed, 11 dunks surrendered).
• On the night Aaron Gordon returns, Jamal Murray suffers another injury (ankle/heel).
  • "This was only the 11th time this season the Nuggets had their opening night starters together… and now we'll see how long Murray ends up missing." (Tas, 56:51)
• The crew questions whether this is simply "not their year," voicing concern over defensive consistency and chemistry with Cam Johnson as a new starter.
• “They’re a team that didn’t expect to have to play hard right now.” (Tas, 63:42)

2. Milwaukee Bucks & Giannis: Playoff Streak in Jeopardy (60:43–64:29)

• Four games out of the play-in, injuries mounting (Giannis’ calf, KPJ out, multiple back-to-backs left), and with tough teams to chase.
• "I'm using a pen, not a pencil. I'm crossing out Milwaukee Bucks for the rest of this season. I don't think they have a chance of catching any of these teams." (Skeets, 63:18)
• Speculation begins: will the Bucks’ slide force a Giannis trade request this offseason?
• "It definitely feels like a play out the string kind of a team right now." (Tas, 63:42)

3. Philadelphia 76ers: Injuries Derail the Season (64:29–67:59)

• After holding 6th, Sixers drop into the play-in after a tough loss to Atlanta, compounded by a slew of injuries.
• Key details:
  • Tyrese Maxey: pinkie (“fifth finger”) sprain, out at least two games.
  • Joel Embiid: missed four straight with oblique.
  • Paul George: 16 games into 25-game suspension.
  • VJ Edgecombe: lumbar contusion.
• "Good luck replacing Maxey… The guy leads them in scoring, assists, three pointers, steals, shot attempts… He plays the most minutes in the league." (Skeets, 66:20)
• Rest debate: Maxey’s minutes have taken a toll; some relief may be good, but without him they aren’t the same.

Other Notable Quotes & Moments

• Reggie Miller, on Wemby: "I hate to say it, this is what I do to my son in the driveway, right? …No, I don't do it. Actually, I do do it." (21:38)
• On the Magic’s surge: "Bad gas…they switched to a better octane." (28:22) (Lighthearted banter about Banchero’s engine.)
• On the Heat’s 10,000-point milestone: "I don't think he's going to catch him (Wade). But still, that's quite an accomplishment." (Skeets, 39:10)
• On picking games while doing laundry: "That’s ideal time for folding." (Skeets, 33:35)
• On SGA’s scoring streak: "Any record where you're beating Wilt Chamberlain and Jordan didn't do it… that's impressive. I don't care." (Skeets, 45:25)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Wedgie Celebration: 06:12–08:12
• Tatum’s Return/Celtics: 08:21–14:12
• Wemby Emotional Weekend: 15:25–22:05
• Magic/Banchero: 27:16–30:29
• Lakers’ Defensive Wins: 30:30–33:31
• Heat’s Hot Streak: 34:00–39:26
• SGA’s MVP Case: 40:01–45:41
• Nuggets’ Injury Troubles: 55:25–60:39
• Bucks’ Playoff Hopes Fade: 60:43–64:29
• Sixers’ Season Sinks: 64:29–67:59

Tone and Podcast Flavor

Playful, sharp, and inclusive of listener banter, the episode blends classic No Dunks humor (laundry as basketball metaphor), deep stat dives, and emotional appreciation of NBA storylines. The hosts don’t shy from both solemn moments (injuries, tears, missed playoffs) and classic bits (ranking fingers, “Dr. Sauce” nicknames).

In Summary

• “Winners”: Tatum and the Celtics return to form, Wemby cements superstar status, the Magic and Heat quietly climb the standings, Lakers adapt without LeBron, SGA narrows the MVP race.
• “Losers”: Nuggets’ injury plague, the Bucks’ collapse, Sixers drowning in absences.
• Notable Bites: Wedgie records, epic blocks, laundry day routines, and the “fifth finger” debate.

“He does every little tiny thing, but also he'll suck in the casual fan… Take your eyes off.” — Trey Kirby, on Wemby (20:50)

For anyone catching up on the NBA world, this episode offers an entertaining and genuinely insightful round-up of the league’s current movers, shakers, heartbreakers and heartbreaks.