No Dunks Podcast: "Pistons-Hornets Brawl, Cavs Stay Hot & Unpacking The Giannis-Kalshi News"

Date: February 10, 2026

Hosts: J. Skeets, Tas Melas, Trey Kirby, JD

Episode Overview

This lively episode covers a riotous night in the NBA, led by a full-on brawl between the Pistons and Hornets, high-level analysis of the new-look Cavaliers staying hot, and a deep dive into Giannis Antetokounmpo's headline-making investment in Kalshi, a prediction market platform. The hosts bring signature banter, real hoops insight, and plenty of jokes, spotlighting the NBA’s dramas on and off the court.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pistons-Hornets Brawl: A Throwback NBA Fight (03:31 – 18:07)

• Summary:
  The Detroit Pistons edged the Charlotte Hornets 110-104 in a game that devolved into a massive, multi-player fight and saw four players ejected. The hosts break down the fight in detail, the likely suspensions, and how this scuffle compares in NBA history.

• Fight Sequence:

  • Starts with a hard foul by Diabate on Jalen Duran, escalating into a "Grisham style" headbutting and Duran smushing Diabate in the face.
  • Miles Bridges and Isaiah Stewart get involved, both throwing punches; Stewart (aka "Beef Stew") comes in hot from the bench.
  • Four ejected: Diabate, Bridges, Duran, Stewart.

• Suspension Predictions:

  • Debate over who should get the longest bans based on escalation, league priorities, and past behavior (notably Stewart's extensive history).
  • Quote (Trey Kirby, 08:22):
    “This was like a legitimate brawl out there…like that’s what you’re supposed to do. This was – this was a good fight.”

• Historical Comparison:
  Riffs on famous NBA brawls (“Nuggets vs Knicks from a million years ago, Melo got a 15-game suspension…”), and contrast with current league discipline.

  • Tas Melas, 07:38:
    “It was very funny to see when the referees announced who got tossed...Isaiah Stewart had his hands under his shoulder straps...‘Yeah, I deserve that.’”

• Game Impact:
  Despite the chaos, the Pistons took control late, with Cade Cunningham stepping up.

• Notable Quote (J. Skeets, 10:33):
  "The fight gets all the headlines...but awesome game and I hope we see these teams in a first round series."

2. Other Fights: Wolves-Hawks Jersey Grab (18:07 – 20:19)

• Summary:
  Quick mention of a more classic scuffle — Nas Reid and Mo Gay tossed for prolonged jersey grabbing, called a “hockey fight."
  • Both hosts agree: likely just fines, not suspensions.
  • Trey Kirby, 18:49:
    “I love like a stretched-out basketball jersey. Makes me think Ron Artest, Malice at the Palace.”

3. Cavs Stay Hot: Harden Revives Cleveland (21:34 – 28:03)

• Summary:
  Cleveland rallies past Denver 119-117, led by mid-season acquisition James Harden and Donovan Mitchell’s clutch plays. The hosts express (guarded) hope that Harden has changed the Cavaliers’ ceiling.

• Key Game Moments:

  • Harden’s step-back 3 to tie the game in the clutch.
  • Mitchell nails free throws after drawing a late foul.

• Harden’s Impact:

  • Outlines how Harden led a bench unit run while Mitchell rested, setting up teammates, hitting big shots, and even defending Jokic decently on a key possession.

• Host Reactions:

  • “It ain’t Game 7 yet…” – skepticism persists (25:25).
  • Trey jokes about being hurt by Harden’s past, but,
    “One more good fourth-quarter performance and I’m in. I’m ready.” (23:20)

• Eastern Conference Outlook:

  • Hosts agree the East seems wide open, listing Pistons, Knicks, Celtics, and Cavs as viable. Debate if they’d be shocked by any making the Finals.

4. Jazz Beat Heat: “Tanking” Irony & Player Development (28:09 – 34:55)

• Summary:

  • The Utah Jazz, despite sitting three key starters (Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr, Nurkic) in the fourth quarter as part of a “tanking” strategy, still beat the Miami Heat.
  • Will Hardy’s novel approach: play vets 20-25 minutes, then let young guys handle the high-pressure final quarter for experience.

• Host Take:

  • "Is this galaxy brain player development?" (32:18)
  • The Heat’s problems—lack of offensive firepower, poor fourth quarter defense—are exposed.

• Quote (Trey Kirby, 31:26): "If the goal is to win games, then I'm down. But if the goal is to get better draft odds, then I'm up."

5. Quick Roundup: Additional Games & Player Notes (34:55 – 41:51)

• Bulls vs Nets, Timberwolves-Hawks, Lakers-Thunder:

  • IO Dosunmu’s fast-break style helps the Bulls.
  • Wolves show better focus, Lakers try "teeny tiny" lineup—hosts skeptical.
  • Luke Kennard’s shooting reluctance frustrates Lakers fans.

• Pelicans, Zion, and Tank-a-Thon:

  • Pelicans’ unexpected losing streak; Zion quietly stays healthy but plays less explosively (38:41).

• Rookies to Watch:

  • Nets’ Nolan Traore shows promise.
  • Blazers’ Scoot Henderson returns, flashes potential.
  • Franz Wagner’s return for Magic.

6. Up/Down Report: News & Controversy (42:35 – 64:36)

Steph Curry Sidelined for All-Star — Who Will Replace? (42:41 – 46:42)

• Consensus: James Harden is the logical replacement, as an American guard playing at an All-Star level.
• Quote (Trey Kirby, 43:58):
  "Harden checks three boxes: He's American, he's a guard, and he's old. That's the same as Steph Curry."

Giannis Partners with Kalshi: Ethical Problem? (47:54 – 54:36)

• Discussion:
  • Giannis becomes a shareholder in Kalshi, a prediction market—raises concerns about NBA players in sports-betting-adjacent businesses.
  • Hosts view it as a major conflict of interest, borderline "insider trading."
  • Skeets slams the PR strategy:
    • “Read the room, guys. Holy crap.”
    • “Giannis has gone from…one of the most likable superstars...to, like, it has soured quite a bit.” (52:23)
  • All expect Adam Silver to address this at All-Star Weekend.

Bucks Sign Cam Thomas — Smart or Tank Move? (54:36 – 59:01)

• Bucks ink Cam Thomas as a scoring punch.
• Hosts suspect it’s more about tanking than meaningful improvement ("box score player, not really a basketball player").
• Trey Kirby, 56:43:
  “If the goal is to win games, down. If the goal is to get better draft odds, up.”

Clippers Keep Kawhi at Deadline (59:01 – 64:04)

• Multiple teams reportedly asked about Kawhi, but the Clippers wisely held on.
• Hosts cite his current elite play and the unlikelihood of attractive offers.
• Trey Kirby, 59:33:
  "There’s no way the offers for Kawhi Leonard are worth what Kawhi Leonard is to the Clippers."
• Play-in calculus: the Clippers may pull off a playoff run if Kawhi stays healthy.

7. Other Notable Quotes & Funny Moments

• Tas on Duran’s Dodging:
  “He should be in the dunk contest. ... That dancer looks very healthy.” (06:25)
• Debate on All-Star Game Suspensions:
  “Should the All-Star Game count for him serving his suspension?” (13:39)
• Vintage Jersey Tangent:
  Side bar about NBA jerseys they own, all acquired through weird TV connections, never worn.

8. Notable Stats & Timestamps

• Pistons-Hornets Brawl Deep Dive: 03:31 – 18:07
• Cavaliers Rally (Harden/Mitchell): 21:34 – 28:03
• All-Star Replacement Talk: 42:41 – 46:42
• Giannis-Kalshi Segment: 47:54 – 54:36
• Up/Down Report - Major News: 42:35 – 64:36

Conclusion

This episode encapsulates why No Dunks is a go-to NBA pod: immediate, colorful analysis of wild NBA nights, a balance of hoop nerdery and culture/media skepticism, and irrepressible humor. Whether recounting a “mad moose” melee or parsing the ethics of NBA-gambling crossover, the crew keeps things insightful and fun.

For new listeners or fans who missed the episode:

• You’ll get detailed breakdowns of this week’s biggest NBA drama, spark for barroom debates, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments from the original basketball podcasters.