Loading summary
TaxAct Voice
Taxact knows you probably don't need help filing taxes, but if you get stuck, we have live experts you can talk to. And who knows, you could hit it off and become long term tax friends. Staying up late at night talking about deductions, refunds, personal exemptions. Heck, you could even fall in love and create a little dependent of your own one day. Or they could just answer your filing questions. Tax act. Let's get them over with.
Mike Wilbon
Pardon the interruption, but I'm Mike Wilbon. It's our last show of the week. Tony, are you excited for our four day weekend?
Frank Isola
I'm Frank, I solo, you know, Tony left his note.
Mike Wilbon
Oops.
Frank Isola
It's a five day. Five day weekend for me, Pookie.
Mike Wilbon
Yeah, well, that just me, Pookie. He's in a golf course. How'd he get that here?
Frank Isola
No smiling emojis though. He doesn't like emojis.
Mike Wilbon
He doesn't know emoji.
Frank Isola
He's not an emoji.
Mike Wilbon
No. I don't know. Don't even know what emojis are. He's at a golf course somewhere. You know he's freezing.
Frank Isola
Big golf weekend. I know. I don't think.
Mike Wilbon
Not freezing in a golf.
Frank Isola
You're in D.C. when the temperature dips below. Not all like Haley's comic.
Mike Wilbon
Welcome to pti, kiddies. The old grouch has the day off, so I am joined happily by our great friend Mr. Frank Isola.
Frank Isola
They were louder in rehearsal, Mike.
Mike Wilbon
Yeah, it was a good, good Friday welcome, even though it's not Friday yet. Let's start with the Lakers at the center of two stories. First was last night's loss in Oklahoma City, a game the Lakers led in the fourth quarter until Luka got ejected. And tonight Luka and company are in Dallas for his return there after that shocking deadline deal that led to so much disenchantment among the fans in Dallas. Frank, is your focus on what happened last night or what will happen tonight?
Frank Isola
I'm going to focus on last night because tonight's going to be a love fest. And LeBron was right when he went back to Cleveland. Pretty hostile. I still remember being at Madison Square Garden when Pat Riley returned for the first time at the Miami Heat. That was nasty. This is going to be a love end tonight for Luca and he's going to be well rested because he got ejected from the game with seven and a half minutes to go. The referee, JT or thought that Luca was directing. Bad call, but you know, you could say bad call, but who's the. It wasn't Austin Reeves who did it, it wasn't Dorian Finney Smith, it was Luca. And you know, when you think about the NBA, if it's a complaint department, he's the head of the complaint department. He complains all the time. I'm an expert at complaining. I can't. I could spot them from a mile away. And it's something that he's going to have to monitor in the playoffs. And it's something for the Lakers to take notice of after he gets ejected. You know, they're up a point. They got outscored 29 to 12 the rest of the game by OKC and they're playing for seating. And if we go back to Game 3 of the NBA Finals, that's when the series ended. Because Luka had an emotional breakdown in that game. Got six fouls with four minutes to go. Remember him screaming at the bench, screaming at the referees. That is something. For them to go deep into the playoffs and maybe win it. Luka has to pick his spots because right now he's over the top at that.
Mike Wilbon
There's a lot to love about Luka Doncic.
Frank Isola
Yep.
Mike Wilbon
That ain't among things to love. The whining, the constant whining, non stop players going the other way. He's defensively challenged anyway, and he's not even in the play. Oklahoma City, that was going to win that game last night. They were just going to win.
Frank Isola
It was 108, 107.
Mike Wilbon
I know, but they were going to win that game last night. And so let's go fast forward to tonight. It's going to be so emotional there. But let me mention three guys on the Dallas Mavericks roster who have great incentive. Two who were involved in the trade themselves, Anthony Davis and Max Christie. And Derek Lively, who's been back a couple of games already, but he got hurt and he missed. Can you imagine if Kyrie Irving was healthy and playing? This was going to be an event. It would be an enormous event if those teams were at full strength and Kyrie was out there. I think Dallas has got a lot of incentive. And I think in some ways, if you were the guys I just mentioned, Davis, Christie and Lively, you were at the center of saying, okay, everybody in this building loves him. All right? Even though he's glaring over at Nico Harrison.
Frank Isola
That's right.
Mike Wilbon
You think Nico's gonna be in his seat tonight?
Frank Isola
If he's not, it'll be a big story. He'll be there tonight.
Mike Wilbon
All right. But you, you gotta want to beat Luka. You love him. If you're two of those guys. But you gotta want to beat him. Dallas is gonna get in. Although it's a Magic Number of 1 Because the Phoenix Suns aren't even awake and they haven't been for a while. And they have no shot because they have to win all three of their games while Dallas loses all three events to get in the wild. In the wild card. Get in the plan. Not going to happen. But this is. This is what we're watching.
Frank Isola
No, this game's got juice, especially for this time of year. Yeah. And you mentioned Kyrie. You know Kyrie with the knee injury was done and then done for the year. And then, you know, Anthony Davis, who gets all this criticism. Anthony Davis, when he got hurt, could have said, you know what I'll see in October.
Mike Wilbon
Hugs.
Frank Isola
He came back and played. They're going to be the 10 seed because like you said, the team with the biggest payroll in the NBA right now is in the 11 seed. Hard to wave. All right. The Lakers loss was far from the worst one last night. The Timberwolves, they were up 24 points on the Bucs in the fourth quarter and they blew it. The Bucs came all the way back to win by seven. Minnesota's collapse dropped them from fifth to eighth in a tightly bunched Western Conference. So, Mike, how damaging was this loss?
Mike Wilbon
Frank, I keep going back and forth on this. My first thought, so, you know, there's a bunch of games to watch last night, as you know, and I'm sitting there. It's a one TV night for me. For some reason, I don't know why I didn't go multiple screens, but I'm not paying attention to the. To the Bucks and T Wolves because the league's too big. Yeah, it's 24 points. There's 10 minutes left. I'm not going to that game. I got other stuff. And then I see this comeback or this blowing the lead, but Minnesota's not. They're a team that. A good friend of mine who's in the industry says you can't fool them because they're not paying attention. The T Wolves aren't paying attention. They win five games in a row. I count on the T Wolves every week or so to be the team in the west that could beat anybody. Cause they have some pedigree from last year and what they did, getting to the conference finals and beating Denver. And I'm like, okay, T Wolves. I'm with them. They win five in a row, and then they have some unbelievably stupid loss and they do this all the time. They remind me of the San Diego Chargers, Los Angeles Chargers, NFL, you can't count on them. But you know what? They also have these losses and they don't seem to be derailed too much by stupid losses. So maybe it means nothing.
Frank Isola
You know, a couple of things about the Bucks. Bobby portis back after 25 games mentioned.
Mike Wilbon
And look what he did last night.
Frank Isola
He played really well. Giannis had another triple double. But come on, when you're up by that, I don't care if they're on the road, but maybe they had it coming to them. Because you go back to game seven, this is from Minnesota against Denver last year. They were down big in the second half. They came back and won. Remember the win that they had against Oklahoma City? Yes. They were down 24 points and they came back from 16 down.
Mike Wilbon
This is what they do.
Frank Isola
And. And the overtime win they recently had.
Mike Wilbon
Wildly unpredictable.
Frank Isola
But how about all these teams though, with the Clippers, Denver, Golden State, Memphis, all these teams at 47 and 32 and a team that we probably don't talk about enough, that's in that group. And if you're Adam Silver in the league office, you're thrilled that these games mean something. So right into the final day, the seating is going to be determined in the West. How about the Clippers though? Five in a row last night. They hold out.
Mike Wilbon
Kawhi's had. Why?
Frank Isola
Because they're on a second night of a back to back tonight against second place Houston. If the Clippers could win this, they'll be in a good position. I watched Kawhi play two weeks ago, 12 days ago in person. He had 25 points in the first half and he dominated the game on.
Mike Wilbon
The defensive last time.
Frank Isola
They're a sneaky, dangerous team.
Mike Wilbon
Well, last time Kawhi Leonard was this healthy and engaged in the first week of April was 2019. I mean, you know, that's how great a player he is. If capable, if healthy enough to be out there. You're right about that. But let me go back to Minnesota for a second because they've got a young, healthy star, Kawhi we don't know about. He's gimpy, he's had all these issues, these legit issues Kawhi has had, even in his greatness, Anthony Edwards. This is supposed to be his time and their time coming off what they did to Denver, the champs. They eliminated Denver last year, they eliminated the champs. And now every time they get rolling, they sputter. And last night was a big sputter.
Frank Isola
Yeah.
Mike Wilbon
And you don't want to be in the playing. I don't care how good you are.
Frank Isola
If you don't roll, that's.
Mike Wilbon
You don't want to be in it.
Frank Isola
That's why you're going to have a really good. Two really good teams finish seventh and eighth.
Mike Wilbon
Yes.
Frank Isola
One of those teams is going to have to play two games on the first week to get into the playoff, to get into the playoffs. And that's where for Adam Silver in the league they're saying, you know, everyone loves to throw around the regular season. Doesn't mean anything. Well, last year Dallas had the best record. They won. I'm sorry, Boston had the best record. They won the championship. Look at Oklahoma City. And now you don't want to be, you don't want to be seventh or.
Mike Wilbon
Eighth in the west in season tournament. That means nothing.
Frank Isola
Yeah.
Mike Wilbon
As crazy as that Bucs comeback was last night the Canucks did something even more remarkable. Down 52 to the Stars late in the third period in Dallas. The Canucks score three times in the final minute, all with an extra skater and an empty net behind them to push the game to ot. It's the first time in league history a team has overcome a three goal deficit in the final minute. Vancouver then went on to win the game in overtime. Frank, what's the word for what the Canucks pulled off last night?
Frank Isola
I like how this is the warm up act for Luka in Dallas.
Mike Wilbon
It isn't.
Frank Isola
It. Look at this.
Mike Wilbon
What an appetizer.
Frank Isola
My word is bonkers. Think about this. Dallas is at home. They have a 30 lead going into the third period. They were up 4 2, then they scored an empty netter.
Mike Wilbon
Yeah.
Frank Isola
And then you have the Canucks scoring three goals in the final minutes. Pew. Souter ended up scoring the last two, one with 30 seconds ago, then just under 10 seconds and then they went in overtime and they were essentially facing elimination. They're probably not going to make it. There's six points back of of Minnesota right now for the second wild cards. But on the verge of elimination.
Mike Wilbon
I got a hyphenated word and I'm not sure if it's successfully desperate or desperately successful. But when you pull the goaltender with that deficit, okay, you gotta go for it to save your season because it ends otherwise. And it's remarkable that you could, that you could have that in Dallas. On we talk about choking a lot for the final four and what happened there. You're, you're on home ice and you let that happen. That's. That seems it's not possible because it's never happened before in league history.
Frank Isola
You know these games, these sports, they change so much. NBA with three point shooting. You look at football, everyone goes for it now on fourth down. Soccer, everyone could keep the ball forever. They basically play keep away. I wonder if with hockey I think they've become so sophisticated that 6 on 5 isn't. It actually works. It seems to work more in your favor now than it probably did 20 years ago. It always felt like it was. You were basically waving the white desperation. You pull your goaltender and then you end up giving a goal. Yeah, right.
Mike Wilbon
Makes no sense. It was fun though. Let's take a break. But coming up, the Masters tees off tomorrow. Would it be a more impressive story of Rory wins for the first time or if Scottie Scheffler wins for the.
Frank Isola
Third and the Cavs clinched the top seed in the east last night? But did the Celtics have the more meaningful win?
Mike Wilbon
Cleveland won. No Kobe White. I was disappointed to see no Kobe White last night. He's turned into one of the league's most entertaining players.
TaxAct Voice
TaxAct can think of a million things more fun than filing taxes TaxAct is going to name some now. Sitting in traffic folding a fitted bedsheet, listening to your co worker talk about his fantasy team digging a hole. Digging an even larger hole next to that original hole. Unfortunately, TaxAct's filing software can't make taxes fun, but TaxAct can help you get them done. TaxAct, let's get them over with.
Kaley Cuoco
If you like true crime stories, listen to this one. But as you listen, put yourself in the place of this IT manager because he never dreamed this would happen at his company on his watch. He came in on a Monday and tried to log in and couldn't a ransom pop up. Informed him that company data, customer files, bank accounts, apar, everything was being held for ransom and if they didn't pay $250,000 in bitcoin no less, all of it would be wiped. Nearly a third of mid sized American companies got hit by data breach last year and that number is going up. It's your choice. Trust your current cybersecurity infrastructure like he did or outsource protecting your precious data with the leading managed security services provider in the US Thrive. It all starts with a comprehensive THRIVE cyber risk assessment. Thrive security analysts identify security gaps and deliver proactive solutions to help keep your network healthy and protected. It's not a matter of if, it's when. Are you ready? Get your no obligations, security recommendations and consultation. Your business relies on it visit thrivenextgen.com ESPN that's thrivenextgen.com ESPN.
Mike Wilbon
Time to spank Frank and toss up. What's first?
Frank Isola
Toss up. Whose master's victory would make for the more impressive story, Scottie scheffler or Rory McIlroy?
Mike Wilbon
Frank, this is easy for me. It's Rory, I get it. Scottie Scheffler will be going for three wins in four years. I get that. You can get there, you know, you can get the back to back. You have plenty of time for that. Rory, even though he's still a fairly young guy, he's got, you can say, oh, 10, 12 more really good chances. I don't know that. I don't know when the disappointment piles on top, one after another after another after another, that you just have, you know, an unlimited number of chances. He's gone 38 majors without winning a major. All right. And he's never won the Masters. No. The better story, the more impressive story, the bigger story is Rory McElroy winning at Augusta.
Frank Isola
All right, the key word is impressive. I like how you're trying to dismiss that. Yes, it would be Scheffler, because if he goes back to back, only Jack has done it. Nick Fo, Tiger, Wolves, Tiger. If he goes three and four years, that's something that only Jack has done before. So that's incredibly impressive. What's the best story? Now that would be Rory, because first of all, he's very popular among the fans, the guys on the tour. And what do we love when Tiger won his last Masters, what that meant jack winning at 46. If Rory's there on the, on Sunday with a chance to win, he comes up to the 18th. That would be a great story. So you and I background is our sports writers, we always root for the best story. Rory, Rory.
Mike Wilbon
We would be rooting for Rory if we were sitting in that press room getting ready to write columns.
Frank Isola
Yes.
Mike Wilbon
And Rory is also not that Scotty Scheffler is anything other than cooperative and seem, you know, perfectly gracious. Rory knows how to tell a story. Yeah, Rory would be like on a psychiatrist couch after, in the, in butler cabin with his green jacket. And he could give you all sides of his own drama and in a way that few people in the, in the sport can. So Rory, Rory, Rory and Rory.
Frank Isola
Yeah, if he wins, we'll all drink a Guinness afterwards. He was on ESPN today and he did talk about Jack winning at 46, and he said, yeah, I'm getting older, but I still have some time. And the way that these Guys keep themselves in unbelievable condition. I mean, look at that.
Mike Wilbon
Everybody's playing five, five to eight years beyond what they used to in every sport. So it makes sense. Phil just finished what and what top five and a few years ago. So if Phil can do that, Rory maybe can't. But you don't want to wait. You don't want to have that drama playing out that long.
Frank Isola
We're rooting for the better story, more.
Mike Wilbon
Impressive, I admit it. What's next?
Frank Isola
Toss up which team had the more meaningful win last night, the Cavaliers or the Celtics?
Mike Wilbon
This too is easy for me. The Celtics had the most meaningful win last night. Look, the Cavaliers played the Bulls without and they could get the Bulls in the first round of the playoffs. But Kobe White didn't play. Yeah, Kobe White the last two months has played as well as anybody on the Cavaliers, including Donovan Mitchell, who's going to get some votes for that, for the five for the mvp. And he deserve it. Kobe White was player of the month. He just did that. And the Bulls didn't play with him. I was so disappointed, so angry because the Bulls have played well, even. That's for another time. The Celtics are hot. And Porzingis goes out there and reminds you why the Celtics can beat and probably will beat anybody, including Cleveland in the conference finals if it comes that, and it will. Or Oklahoma City or the Lakers or Golden State maybe, because Porzingis, he's not even counted on all year and he comes out and just drains that shot in a bloodless way. And I was like, oh my God, let's not forget how great the Celtics are.
Frank Isola
Kobe White's family just texted me. They want to thank you for weaving him into a topic about the Cavaliers. Charleston Celtics, well done by you. All right, let's give the the Cavs some credit. Number one, they've clinched the best record.
Mike Wilbon
But only 76 in the last 13.
Frank Isola
All right, but it's still. Let's look at the whole season and this is post Lebron. So they're in a really good place. They've done.
Mike Wilbon
They're in a great place.
Frank Isola
Ownership, front office, coaching staff, the players have been great. But for the Celtics, what was interesting about last night, right, they beat the Knicks in overtime. The Knicks should have fouled Tatum at the end of regulation when he hit that three. You got a foul there. But what was interesting, really about Boston is Jaylen Brown. You know, he's out there playing. I think he's out there to get to the 65 game threshold for the regular season awards. He only played 22 minutes. He goes 2 for 8. Six points, three turnovers. But it's not about the numbers. He did not look good. He was not moving well.
Mike Wilbon
Gimpy.
Frank Isola
No.
Mike Wilbon
So sit him down for these last.
Frank Isola
Because the next big game they play is either going to be next Saturday, second round will be. Well, all right.
Mike Wilbon
It ain't going to be in the first round.
Frank Isola
You know, you look at the. Here's the playoff games that these guys have played in. Tatum's played in 113. Brown has played in 124. Think about the playoff and how young those guys are. Yeah, that would be. So nobody's beaten them yet in the playoffs. Could they beat themselves? If Jaylen Brown isn't close to being.
Mike Wilbon
100%, he's going to have a couple of weeks. Frank, they're going to play Orlando or Atlanta in the first round, right? Okay. I mean, you know, as long as.
Frank Isola
They don't play Kobe, White and the Bulls.
Mike Wilbon
I want Kobe, White and the Bulls to play against Cleveland. That's. I'm just Boston.
Frank Isola
So that's why he thought they were holding him.
Mike Wilbon
Got no shot against Boston. That's it. Let's take one last break for still to come, Jock changes out of that finger guns thing for a grenade and.
Frank Isola
Christopher Morell gets robbed of a home run robbery. What is going on at George Steinburner Field?
Mike Wilbon
The playing in the west is going to be more interesting than the playing in the East.
Frank Isola
Yes, yes. That is an understatement.
Mike Wilbon
You know.
Zillow Voice
Hey there, travelers. Kaley Cuoco here. Sorry to interrupt your music, great artist, BT Dubs, but wouldn't you rather be there to hear it live? With Priceline, you can get out of your dreams and into your dream concert. They've got millions of travel deals to get you to that festival, gig, rave, sound bath, or sonic experience you've been dreaming of. Download the Priceline app today and you can save up to 60% off hotels and up to 50% off flights. So don't just dream about that trip. Book it with Priceline.
Mike Wilbon
Go to your happy price. Priceline.
Zillow Voice
Wow, this house is cute. But can I really get in the game in this economy? I do have savings and I am responsible.
Mike Wilbon
Ish.
Zillow Voice
Ugh, I should bury it. I'm being wild. But what if I'm not being wild, though? Could I actually score a kick off.
ABC News Voice
Your home buying journey with Zillow's new buyability tool? It makes it easy to find out what you can afford so you can get off the bench and onto the Playing field with confidence. Check your buyability only on Zillow.
Mike Wilbon
You better get happy people. Happy 28th birthday, Luis. Arise. Arise has won the batting titles the last three seasons while on three different teams. First three, 16 with the Twins, then 354 with the Marlins. And last year 314 with the Padres. The last player to win four titles in a row was of course Tony Gwynn. The great Padres hall of Famer. A rise started slowly this season but has 11 hits in his last four games entering today, lifting his average from.129 to.313. He's been the subject of trade rumors for months. Trade rumors? So he might have a chance to win his fourth title for 14.
Frank Isola
What? You know there are two players in major league history that have won the batting title in both leagues. DJ lemayu and Arise.
Mike Wilbon
That's it.
Frank Isola
Because back then. Nope. Wayne Boggs.
Mike Wilbon
Great player. He didn't go anywhere. They kept you.
Frank Isola
That's right.
Mike Wilbon
Happy anniversary David Thompson and George Gervin. On this day 47 years ago, Thompson scored 73 points for the Nuggets. 53 in the first first half. It wilt like pace in an effort to win the NBA scoring title over George Gervin, the Iceman of the spurs on the last day of the regular season. Ice then needed 59 that night to pass Thompson and scored 63. The spurs fed everything through ice. He shot 49 times in 33 minutes. How about that, Frank? It was the tightest one two finish ever with Gervin averaging 27.22 points per game. Thompson right behind him 27.15. And this was before the three point shot existed in the NBA.
Frank Isola
You know the spurs have a history of winning titles, winning the lottery and doing this. Remember David Robinson? Yes, David Robinson at the Shaq at the end of the 9394 season when he scored 71. Then Shaq got him back at the all star game in 95. Remember when he dunked on him in San Antonio?
Mike Wilbon
Yeah. No threes though.
Frank Isola
Yeah.
Mike Wilbon
How about that? Happy trails. Christopher Morell. What a night for Mr. Morrell. In the second inning of last night's loss to the Angels, Morell had a potential inning ending home run robbery snagged by ball hawking fan Zach Hemple. This guy's got a rep. His fan umps ruled it a two run homer in the seventh. Morell hit would appear to him to be his own. Go ahead. Two. Two run homer. But it stayed inside the Rays temporary home becoming a game time double. And in the Eighth with another chance at the go ahead. Rbi. Morrell swung, missed at high heat, smashed his bat on the plate and got Luka'd. The Rays effort to replace him in the ninth and backfired in the field. Rays lost that game. 4. 3.
Frank Isola
I love that they're playing at the Yankee spring training site. Do you realize you remember Mike Trout? Remember that name? Yeah. Last night in the game, 0 for 3. He's batting 1.
Mike Wilbon
Just glad to see him out there.
Frank Isola
1.
Mike Wilbon
Or else would have stayed with the Cubs. His life would have been better. One omission. Listen to this. The NBA has rescinded Luca's second technical foul from last night's game against okc. The one we talked about for half the A block. Do you understand this?
Frank Isola
So he wasn't screaming the profanity at the ref. It was the guy behind it. Not that guy. The other guy.
Mike Wilbon
That must have had video that lines it up perfectly.
Frank Isola
It was the tattoo dude.
ABC News Voice
Please.
Frank Isola
Jeremy Price spoke.
Mike Wilbon
Running out of show. Let's go to the big finish. Jalen Wells of the Grizzlies broke his right wrist during a horrific fall last night and appears to be out for the postseason. That's a big deal.
Frank Isola
Oh, man. This was absolutely horrific. Did you see when this happened?
Mike Wilbon
Yes.
Frank Isola
Taken by a stretcher to the hospital. Really ugly. In that same game, your guy Ja Morant appeared to mimic throwing a hand grenade toward the crowd. Your thoughts?
Mike Wilbon
The NBA is afraid of John Moran. They're afraid of him. They don't want to admit it. They're scurred.
Frank Isola
Did you see that?
Mike Wilbon
They are.
Frank Isola
Yeah.
Mike Wilbon
And then this Cody Bellinger of the Yankees has sworn off chicken wings for five years after a bout of food poisoning. You even believe that?
Frank Isola
Yeah, if you get sick from something. Plus, you know me, chicken wings. I'm a chicken parm guy. I don't do the chicken wing stuff. Cam Smith wore a suit jacket for his practice round at Augusta today. You like it?
Mike Wilbon
Had to be an endorsement, right? Was there a logo somewhere? An emblem? Was there something?
Frank Isola
What do you think? Huh? What do you think?
Mike Wilbon
Last one of the Sixers gonna lose their 13th in a row tonight.
Frank Isola
Yeah. You don't wanna. You wanna know why they want to hear. With the first pick.
Mike Wilbon
First pick.
Frank Isola
The Philadelphia 76ers select. We're out of time. Thanks for watching. I'm Frank Isola.
Mike Wilbon
I'm Mike Lobon. We are bumped by the Masters until Monday. Knuckleheads Sports Day weekend for you.
Frank Isola
Not bet. Watch Kobe White documentary.
Mike Wilbon
Got a Ball and golf. PTI.
ABC News Voice
Rapper Sean Diddy Combs was a king maker. He had wealth, fame, and power.
Mike Wilbon
What's up? Welcome to New York.
ABC News Voice
Until it all came crashing down.
Frank Isola
Federal investigators raiding two homes owned by.
Zillow Voice
Hip hop mogul Sean Diddy Combs.
ABC News Voice
I'm Brian Buckmire, an ABC News legal contributor. As Diddy heads to trial, we trace his remarkable rise and fall. And what could be next? Listen to Bad Rap the Case Against Diddy, a new series from ABC Audio. Listen now, wherever you get your podcasts.
Podcast Summary: PTI – "More Interesting: Luka's Ejection vs. OKC or Luka’s Return to Dallas?"
Release Date: April 9, 2025
Hosts: ESPN's Mike Wilbon and Frank Isola
Duration: 24:59 minutes
In this episode of PTI, ESPN’s Mike Wilbon and Frank Isola delve into the buzzing NBA narratives surrounding Luka Doncic’s recent ejection and his anticipated return to Dallas. The discussion extends to the broader implications for the Western Conference playoffs, highlights from other sports, and notable player performances.
[01:14] - [03:15]
The episode kicks off with a detailed analysis of the Los Angeles Lakers' narrow loss to Oklahoma City last night. The game was pivotal as the Lakers maintained a lead in the fourth quarter until Luka Doncic was ejected, shifting the game's momentum in favor of OKC.
Frank Isola emphasizes the potential impact of Luka's ejection, stating, “Luka has to pick his spots because right now he's over the top at that.”
Mike Wilbon counters with Luka’s challenges, noting, “That ain't among things to love. The whining, the constant whining... he’s defensively challenged anyway.”
The hosts discuss Luka’s temperament and its implications for the Lakers in the playoffs, referencing past instances such as Luka’s emotional breakdown in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Notable Quote:
Frank Isola [01:46]: “Luka has an emotional breakdown in that game. Got six fouls with four minutes to go. Remember him screaming at the bench, screaming at the referees.”
[03:15] - [07:14]
Progressing to the broader Western Conference, Wilbon and Isola assess the playoff landscape, highlighting teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Phoenix Suns.
Mike Wilbon outlines Dallas’s strong position, mentioning key players involved in trades like Anthony Davis and Max Christie, and discusses the potential influence of Kyrie Irving’s health on the team's prospects.
Frank Isola draws parallels to historical team performances, suggesting that teams like the Timberwolves, despite recent collapses, possess the resilience to contend deeply in the playoffs.
Notable Quote:
Mike Wilbon [04:07]: “But this is what we're watching. This game’s got juice, especially for this time of year.”
[04:31] - [08:22]
The discussion shifts to the Minnesota Timberwolves’ unexpected loss to the Bucks, blowing a 24-point lead and dropping their standing from fifth to eighth in the competitive Western Conference.
Frank Isola critiques the Timberwolves' inconsistency, comparing them to the unpredictable Chargers in the NFL.
Mike Wilbon reflects on the team's pedigree and their ability to rebound from setbacks, suggesting that despite their losses, the Timberwolves remain a formidable force.
Notable Quote:
Frank Isola [05:13]: “Minnesota's collapse dropped them from fifth to eighth in a tightly bunched Western Conference.”
[08:45] - [10:57]
In a surprising turn, Wilbon and Isola highlight a remarkable comeback by the Vancouver Canucks in hockey, overcoming a 3-goal deficit in the final minute to force overtime and ultimately win the game.
Mike Wilbon marvels at the feat, describing it as “the first time in league history a team has overcome a three-goal deficit in the final minute.”
Frank Isola humorously refers to the event as “a warm-up act for Luka in Dallas,” linking it back to the NBA discussions.
Notable Quote:
Mike Wilbon [09:20]: “That's the first time in league history a team has overcome a three-goal deficit in the final minute.”
[10:57] - [15:50]
Shifting gears to golf, the hosts debate who would make a more impressive story at the upcoming Masters: Rory McIlroy or Scottie Scheffler.
Mike Wilbon leans towards Rory McIlroy, citing his popularity and compelling narrative, especially considering his 38 major appearances without a win.
Frank Isola argues for Scheffler’s potential achievement of three Masters wins in four years, highlighting its historical significance.
Notable Quote:
Mike Wilbon [14:11]: “The better story, the more impressive story, the bigger story is Rory McIlroy winning at Augusta.”
[15:53] - [18:10]
The conversation moves to the recent victories of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics, evaluating which win holds more significance.
Frank Isola acknowledges the Cavaliers' strong season post-LeBron but emphasizes the Celtics’ robust performance and strategic plays.
Mike Wilbon underscores the Celtics’ dominance, particularly highlighting Porzingis’s impactful performances despite his intermittent season.
Notable Quote:
Mike Wilbon [16:57]: “The Celtics are hot. And Porzingis goes out there and reminds you why the Celtics can beat and probably will beat anybody...”
[18:10] - [23:17]
The hosts briefly touch upon various other sports stories, including:
MLB Highlight: Arise’s potential fourth batting title amidst trade rumors.
Historical NBA Moments: Celebrating David Thompson and George Gervin’s legendary performances.
Player Incidents: Jalen Wells’ severe injury and Ja Morant’s questionable gesture mimicking a grenade throw.
Notable Quote:
Mike Wilbon [20:52]: “Happy anniversary David Thompson and George Gervin. On this day 47 years ago, Thompson scored 73 points for the Nuggets...”
In the final minutes, Wilbon and Isola wrap up the episode with humorous takes on recent sports events and player behaviors, teasing upcoming segments like golf tournaments and potential trades.
Notable Quote:
Mike Wilbon [23:57]: “I like how you’re trying to dismiss that. Yes, it would be Scheffler... So you and I background is our sports writers, we always root for the best story. Rory, Rory.”
This PTI episode provides a comprehensive and engaging exploration of current sports narratives, with Luka Doncic’s NBA saga taking center stage. Mike Wilbon and Frank Isola offer insightful commentary, enriched with memorable quotes and expert analysis, making the discussion both informative and entertaining for listeners.
Notable Quotes Recap:
Frank Isola [01:46]: “Luka has to pick his spots because right now he's over the top at that.”
Mike Wilbon [04:07]: “But this is what we're watching. This game’s got juice, especially for this time of year.”
Mike Wilbon [09:20]: “That's the first time in league history a team has overcome a three-goal deficit in the final minute.”
Mike Wilbon [14:11]: “The better story, the more impressive story, the bigger story is Rory McIlroy winning at Augusta.”
Mike Wilbon [16:57]: “The Celtics are hot. And Porzingis goes out there and reminds you why the Celtics can beat and probably will beat anybody...”
Mike Wilbon [20:52]: “Happy anniversary David Thompson and George Gervin. On this day 47 years ago, Thompson scored 73 points for the Nuggets...”
This detailed summary captures the essence of the PTI episode, ensuring that both dedicated listeners and newcomers can grasp the key discussions and insights shared by Mike Wilbon and Frank Isola.