No Dunks (iHeartPodcasts)

Episode: Trae Tossed, Garland & Giannis Return & NBA All-Rookie Teams

Date: March 3, 2026
Hosts: J. Skeets, Tas Melas, Trey Kirby, JD

Episode Overview

On this fast-moving episode, the No Dunks crew recaps a wild NBA night featuring the chaos surrounding Trae Young’s ejection before his Wizards debut, key returns for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Darius Garland, rookie developments, and spicy listener mailbag questions. The pod is shot through with typical irreverence, rapid-fire insights, memorable banter, and deep basketball nerdery. Themes include: how team chemistry is shown in unexpected ways, the complexities of NBA lineups and contracts, and the ever-shifting narrative power of NBA rookies.

Main NBA Recaps & Themes

1. Trae Young Tossed … Before Even Debuting for the Wizards

[03:13-08:45]

• Background:
  The Rockets beat the Wizards 123-118 in a game surprisingly dominated by Trae Young—despite not stepping on the court. Young, days away from his Wizards debut, was ejected for coming off the bench to argue with officials after a hard shove by Tari Eason went unpunished.

  • Skeets: “He was barking at the official, and they said, get out of here, man. Giddy, Trae Young tossed.” (04:45)
  • Tas: “A worthy ejection … if you're coming off the bench wearing a matching sweatsuit … it’s suspension central!” (05:00)

• Discussion Points:

  • Trae's fierce defense of his soon-to-be teammates sent positive signals to Wizards fans and players alike.
    • Trey: “Leaves a positive impression on teammates, big time. He’s got our back. Nobody else out there was fighting, but this guy was.” (05:48)
  • Rumors swirl about a likely 3-year extension ($~140 million) for Trae—despite not having played yet for Washington.
    • Skeets: “It’s quite a contract for someone who hasn’t played … I guess they’re tearing up that player option?” (08:18)
  • The Rockets’ own point guard, Reed Sheppard, notches career highs in assists (10) and steals (6), suggesting a team in flux and testing almost every possible combination due to injuries.

2. Giannis Returns; Bucks Look Lost Against Short-Handed Celtics

[14:16-20:43]

• Game Recap:
  Giannis returns after his longest absence ever (19 points, 11 boards in 20 minutes), but the Bucks get obliterated by a depleted Celtics squad.

  • Trey: “The Bucks got absolutely stomped by the Celtics here … Giannis did admit: he felt rusty out there.” (14:23)
  • Skeets: “They just destroyed the Bucks on the road…[Celtics had] as many white guys as they could find, plus Hugo Gonzalez, and it wasn’t even close.” (18:10)

• Key Discussion:

  • Skepticism about the Bucks’ rotations. Doc Rivers’ shakeups described as “throwing stuff at the wall”—for example, benching Kyle Kuzma in favor of Usman Jang.
    • Skeets: “That was odd to me…DMP CD for [Kuzma]. See you later. I don’t understand why Doc’s just throwing stuff at the wall at this time of the season.” (19:30)
  • Another Celtics rookie, Hugo Gonzalez, seizes his moment:
    • Trey: “Third career start, but 18 points, 16 boards, three steals, two blocks. First Celtic rookie to do that since Larry Bird!” (20:09)

3. Darius Garland Debuts for Clippers; Clippers Rally over Warriors

[26:08-29:58]

• Garland’s Performance:
  • 12 points, 5 turnovers off the bench. Looked tentative, mostly launching threes, with three turnovers in his first quarter.
  • Tas: “He was playing not to get hurt … barely going inside the three-point line, rarely in the lane…like bad Darius Garland at the end of Cavs tenure.” (26:08)
  • Skeets: “It was Clippers’ defense in the second half that ratcheted up.” (28:06)
• Also Notable:
  • The bench steps up, with Matherin and Janik Keenan contributing big; much love for Clippers’ orange jerseys.

4. Jamal Murray and Keonte George Duel: Nuggets Survive Jazz

[31:01-39:56, 74:02-75:29 (Whoaaaa Boy)]

• Game Recap:
  Jamal Murray drops 45 points, including 8-13 from three, in a highlight duel with Jazz rookie Keonte George (36).

  • Trey: “This was playoff Jamal Murray … some of those shots he was hitting were nuts.” (37:41)
  • Concern about Nuggets’ defense, especially quick guards exploiting Jokic and Valanciunas.
    • Tas: “Quick guards are really going to be a problem for them.” (32:24)

• Jokic’s Struggles:

  • Frustration boils over. Multiple “avant garde bullshittery” antics, including riding Keonte George during a box out and excessive lobbying for calls.
    • Skeets: “Jazz are doing exactly what OKC does with Jokic. Small guy, get after him. And Jokic…totally flustered, totally frustrated.” (36:11)

• Notable Segment:

  • “Whoaaaa Boy” (75:29): Jamal Murray earns player-of-the-night honors despite 7 turnovers.

Key Listener Mailbag & Side Segments

NBA All-Rookie Teams & Rookie of the Year Race

[46:06-53:18]

• Con Knipple vs. Cooper Flagg
  • Intense ROY race discussed, with Knipple taking the favorite’s mantle over Flag due to games played and elite shooting.
    • Trey: “It’s what, 60 games for Knipple? Just under 50 for Cooper…there’s still a debate to be had, but Knipple has the edge.” (47:35-48:06)
  • All-Rookie First Team consensus: Knipple, Flagg, VJ Edgecombe; then lively debate over candidates like Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper, Jeremiah Fears, Ugo Gonzalez, etc.

Team Colors vs. Team Infrastructure (Playful Debates)

[53:20-56:25]

• Listener constructs rosters:
  • Team Colors: Anthony Black, Kobe White, Derrick White, Jalen Green, Jalen Brown
  • Team Infrastructure: Castle, Bridges, Barnes, Barnes, Towns
• Hosts side with Team Infrastructure (“more complete team”) but note Colors’ star power (Brown).

G League Skyhawks Standouts & Obscure NBA Rules**

[57:04-62:50]

• Pod’s G League obsessions:
  • Asa Newell (“already a pro”), Bashir Jihad (“crazy legs!”), plus a deep dive on Julian Reese’s odd Raptors 905 to Wizards jump.
  • Skeets: “Did we just watch the GoGo Wizards? No, that’s not what they’re called, is it?” (62:13)

Fun & Oddball Questions

• Hedging Personal Beliefs (Knicks Fan Anxiety) ([66:55]):
  • Trey admits: “All you can do is believe that the odds are going your way” (for lottery teams).
• Tass’s Top Five NBA Smiles ([71:55]):
  • 1. Steph Curry (“that gold medal smile!”)
  • 2. Peyton Watson
  • 3. Andrew Wiggins
  • 4. Pascal Siakam
  • 5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trae Young’s Ejection:
  • Trey: “Maybe it took the official a second to like, hold on. Are you an assistant coach? No. You're Trae Young. Get out of here.” (06:40)
• On Jokic’s Night:
  • Trey: “Somebody called these Jokic antics avant garde bullshittery.” (35:23)
• On Celtics’ Emergency Roster:
  • Skeets: “They were running as many white guys out there as they possibly could … and it wasn’t even close, blew them out.” (18:10)
• On NBA Smiles:
  • Skeets: “Andrew Wiggins smile and I started smiling. It is absolutely contagious.” (72:52)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Topic | |--------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:13-08:45 | Trae Young ejection & Rockets-Wizards recap | | 14:16-20:43 | Giannis’ return, Bucks-Celtics, Hugo Gonzalez rookie breakout | | 26:08-29:58 | Garland’s Clippers debut, Clippers-Warriors recap | | 31:01-39:56 | Nuggets-Jazz duel (Murray vs. Keonte), Jokic’s antics | | 46:06-53:18 | All-Rookie Team debate, Knipple vs. Flagg, deep rookie talk | | 53:20-56:25 | Team Colors vs. Team Infrastructure (listener challenge) | | 57:04-62:50 | G League obsessions, Skyhawks faves, Julian Reese call-up confusion | | 66:55-70:48 | Hedging sports beliefs (Knicks, Bulls, self-doubt in pickup hoops) | | 71:55-74:02 | Top Five NBA Smiles (plus listener additions) | | 74:02-75:29 | 'Whoaaaa Boy'—Jamal Murray earns podcast game ball |

Additional Highlights

• Nuggets Acquire Tyus Jones ([40:13-41:56]): Solid backup; “steady hand” for emergencies.
• Mailbag Sidebar: British substacker wants to bring the guys snacks at the World Cup (?).
• City Edition Courts: Hosts love the new NBA court designs and jerseys, especially orange for the Clippers and the Bucks’ “Cream City” look ([30:02-30:42]).
• Trade Day: Trey Kirby celebrates March 3 (“3/3”) as Trey Day, rattling off a list of famous Treys for posterity ([42:20-43:47]).

Tone & Style

Irreverent, fast, playful, and obsessed with the subtle and weird corners of NBA life. The hosts shift deftly from hard analysis (“This was not an enjoyable Jokic watch”—Tas, 35:16) to tongue-in-cheek listener questions, to wholesome gushing over rookie effort and—yes—NBA player smiles.

For New/Busy Listeners

If you missed this episode, here’s what you need to know:

• Trae Young got ejected in street clothes for passionately supporting his new team, which fans loved.
• Giannis returned, but Milwaukee looked rudderless and confused, especially facing a shorthanded-yet-dominant Celtics squad with a rookie standout.
• Darius Garland’s Clippers debut was rusty, but their deep bench powered a comeback.
• Jamal Murray erupted for 45 points in a tightly contested Nuggets win; Jokic had an “avant garde” off night full of flopping and complaints.
• The Rookie of the Year race is white-hot, with Con Knipple emerging as a favorite over Cooper Flagg, and the first and second All-Rookie teams are wide open beyond those two.
• Mailbag brought signature No Dunks energy: jokes about names, G League nerdiness, and even a militant ranking of NBA smiles.