PTI Podcast Summary: "LaMelo Ball Leaving the Charlotte Hornets?"
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser, Michael Wilbon
Date: November 22, 2025
Episode Overview
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon tackle the day's biggest sports stories, centering on NFL shakeups, LaMelo Ball's potential trade from Charlotte, surprises in both football and basketball, and historic NHL moments. The hosts bring their signature candor and banter, questioning narratives, poking fun, and providing hard-nosed analysis on headline topics.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Texans Upset Bills on Thursday Night Football
[01:00–04:37]
- Game Recap: Houston (6.5-point underdogs) sack Josh Allen eight times and beat the Bills 23–19. Buffalo is now 7–4, trailing New England in the division race.
- Houston’s Defensive Dominance:
- Wilbon: “They just look powerful, Houston’s defense.” [01:56]
- Kornheiser: “Statistically, they have the best defense in the entire league… they held Buffalo to three points in the second half.” [03:39]
- Buffalo’s Flaws:
- Kornheiser: “Buffalo cannot stop the run at all. Buffalo has no wide receivers that are particularly threatening.” [02:34]
- On Houston’s Offensive Sustainability:
- Wilbon is skeptical the Texans can maintain offensive production, particularly with backup QB Davis Mills.
- AFC in Flux:
- Kornheiser: “The AFC has completely turned upside down. You have Houston, you have Indianapolis.” [04:03]
- Playoff Predictions:
- Kornheiser predicts Houston will make the playoffs. [04:37]
2. Colts vs. Chiefs—NFL Weekend Showdown
[04:55–07:37]
- High Stakes for Chiefs:
- Kornheiser notes a shift: “These are not the Chiefs of last year… Patrick Mahomes is not the Patrick Mahomes of last year.” [05:32]
- Brings up Chiefs’ struggles in one-score games and Mahomes’ poor stats in 'close and late' situations. [06:21]
- Indianapolis—A Surprise Contender:
- Wilbon: “Colts are pretty good.” [07:26]
- Kornheiser lists Colts’ tough remaining schedule, suggesting this game is a must-win. [07:37]
3. NBA Focus: LaMelo Ball Trade Rumors
[08:04–11:14]
- Frustration in Charlotte:
- LaMelo Ball is reportedly open to a trade but tells media: “I love being here. So it’s just false info.” [08:04]
- Assessing Ball’s Value:
- Wilbon: “Ball is a talented kid with the ball. He’s something of a wizard… But he also hasn’t been good enough to lead, to inspire, to make other players better.” [08:24]
- Suggests Ball could thrive in a structured, disciplined franchise (mentions Boston Celtics as a fit), but doesn't see Ball as a major trade piece right now.
- Tony’s Take:
- Kornheiser highlights Ball’s assists but notes shooting woes: “He’s shooting 38.5% from the floor, 29.8% from three—lowest.” [09:29]
- Looks at the broader issue: “Sometimes there’s a guy who’s a good player on a bad team and he’s not a good player on a good team. Bradley Beal comes to mind.”
- Durability Concerns:
- Wilbon: “With Mellow, Tony, he doesn’t play. He’s only played in more than 51 games once in his career.” [10:36]
- Kornheiser: “It takes a strong coach and a strong organization. It really does.” [11:14]
4. Other Notable Sports Topics
Bucks vs. Rams Preview
[13:14–15:21]
- Kornheiser: “It would be surprising… the Rams are hot… the Bucs are coming out of an incredibly brutal schedule.” [13:16]
- Wilbon disagrees, calls a potential Bucs win “predictable,” citing Mayfield’s strong year despite injuries. [14:13]
Alex Ovechkin’s Historic Hat Trick
[15:24–17:14]
- Kornheiser: “He’s 40 years old and he had a hat trick… Ovechkin now has 907 goals, most ever. He’s the best goal scorer in history.” [15:42, 15:43]
- Wilbon compares Ovechkin’s longevity to Gordie Howe and emphasizes his all-time greatness and appeal: “That guy’s worth it.” [16:22]
- Kornheiser: “Alexander Ovechkin… is worth the price. That’s the final word.” [17:14]
Quick Hits, Memorable Quotes, and Buzzer Beaters
[20:01+ (Happy Time/Broadcast Close)]
- On Troy Aikman’s legacy:
- Kornheiser: “Troy has been on TV talking about football with Joe Buck since 2002... What young people may not know is what a great quarterback Troy was for the Dallas Cowboys.” [20:01]
- NFL historical moments (Matthew Stafford’s rookie heroics), college basketball buzzer beaters, Tyrese Maxey’s 54, Sabonis’ injury impact on Kings, and a lighthearted debate on college football conference changes.
- Banter about misnaming the Binghamton Bearcats as the Bobcats, and a sidebar on collegiate field hockey championships.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On AFC chaos:
- Kornheiser: “Can you imagine a year in which Buffalo and Kansas City both missed the playoffs?” [02:54]
- On LaMelo Ball:
- Wilbon: “He’s something of a wizard with the ball in his hand. Doesn’t make any difference because he’s not playing for a team that’s been any good.” [08:24]
- On Ovechkin:
- Kornheiser: “He’s worth the price of the ticket. That guy’s worth it.” [16:22]
- On Tyrese Maxey’s 54-point game:
- Wilbon: “This kid’s having a hell of a year.” [24:07]
- On the Eagles–Cowboys matchup:
- Kornheiser: “No, I’m not [smelling an upset]. The Eagles are a competent team.” [24:45]
Timestamps for Major Segments
- Texans upset Bills: 01:00–04:37
- Colts vs. Chiefs—AFC shakeup: 04:55–07:37
- LaMelo Ball trade chatter: 08:04–11:14
- NFL/NBA Quick Hits (Ovechkin, Bucs/Rams): 13:14–17:14
- "Happy Time" throwback moments (Aikman, Stafford, Buzzer Beaters): 20:01–23:43
- Lightning round—Maxey, Sabonis, NFL injuries, field hockey: 24:07–end
Conclusion
Lively and insightful as ever, Tony and Mike cover the NFL’s seismic power shifts, analyze NBA trade rumors with real skepticism, and celebrate record-setting moments across sports. The episode typifies PTI’s enduring appeal: sharp banter, historical perspective, and a refusal to just go with the hot takes.