Podcast
The Mismatch
Hosted by The Ringer · EN
Chris Vernon and David Jacoby discuss all the news, trends, and transactions happening in the NBA. They also offer their on-court analysis, and occasionally get into heated debates.
42episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Who Will Meet the Knicks and Thunder? Plus, Loves and Loathes.
4d ago01:32:16Tap to summarizeWelcome to The Mismatch! Verno and Jacoby return to react to the Spurs and Cavs taking a 3-2 lead in their respective series and give their thoughts on the pivotal Game 6s on Friday. Plus, they give their Loves and Loathes for the past week and remember Brandon Clarke. Welcome To The Mismatch ! (2:02) Cavs-Pistons Game 6 preview: Cleveland leads series 3-2 (9:48) Spurs-Wolves Game 6 preview: San Antonio leads series 3-2 (16:30) Jacoby Loves: Tony Brothers (the no-call and the Finch fight) (20:11) Verno Loves: Ajay Mitchell scoring 22.5 PPG and a playoff career high of 28 points (28:24) Jacoby Loathes: Wemby dominating the MVP race (forever) (31:34) Verno Loathes: The James Harden experience (35:54) Jacoby Loves: KAT "unlocking" his role after half a year (40:48) Verno Loves: Sixth man "swingers" dominating the playoffs (44:30) Jacoby Loathes: The "bump-and-jump" shoulder bump (47:19) Verno Loathes: Philly’s phony explanations (55:07) Jacoby Loves: Spurs rookie sensation Dylan Harper (56:39) Verno Loves: Popovich “speaking life into you” (a must-read article) (1:00:57) Jacoby Loathes: All the endless LeBron narratives (1:06:15) Verno Loathes: The Bucks' dysfunction and Doc’s laissez-faire approach (1:12:13) Jacoby Loves: Barkley’s "That’s a pretty man" crush on Max Strus (1:14:05) Verno Loves: The NBA combine measurements and wingspans (1:21:09) Jacoby Loathes: The “Nothing Is Everything” Skyrizi commercial (1:22:41) Verno Loathes: The passing of Brandon Clarke (1996-2026) The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Protect your summer today at WeatherTech.com Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →Thunder Sweep Lakers, Cavs Tie it at 2 and Pivotal Game 5 for Spurs-T’Wolves
1w ago01:09:27Tap to summarizeVerno and Jacoby return to react to Monday’s playoff matchups. The Thunder remain undefeated as they sweep the Lakers, and the Cavs tie the series at 2 with the Pistons. They also preview Game 5 between the Spurs and the T’Wolves and examine the Knicks' run and the NBA Draft Lottery. Welcome to The Mismatch! (2:05) Thunder-Lakers: Lakers fought hard in a 115-110 loss (7:41) Thunder Dominate playoffs, Sweep Suns and Lakers (10:11) Lebron Swept: Time to take a pay cut or retire? (16:20) Pistons-Cavs: Mitchell drops 43 pts in 112-103 Win, series tied 2-2 (25:44) Knicks Sweep Sixers 4-0: 497points, averaging 124+ PPG (30:31) Plenty of rest for Anunoby and crew before Eastern Conference Finals (37:35) Wemby was tossed for Flagrant 2 in the 2nd quarter, time served by the NBA. (44:00) Wolves need ‘Super’ Ant: Edwards needs to go off to Advance. (46:00) Dylan Harper: Rookies having moments in the Playoffs (54:21) NBA Draft Lottery: Verno Jumps off the Couch, Grizzlies land no. 3 pick (58:17) 2026 NBA Draft Top Four: 1. Dybansta, 2. Peterson, 3. Boozer, 4. Wilson Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Protect your summer today at WeatherTech.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →Thunder Continue to Roll, Five Straight for Detroit, and OG Injury Concern
2w ago01:09:15Tap to summarizeVerno and Jacoby return to react to Thursday’s playoff matchups. The Pistons stay hot, James Harden's issues continue, and the Thunder take a 2-0 series lead over the Lakers. Then, they preview Game 3 of the Knicks-76ers and Wolves-Spurs series. Welcome to The Mismatch! (00:36) James Harden has issues: 10 pts, 3-13 FG, 4 TO (2:52) Cavs-Pistons: Detroit up 2-0 with 107-97 victory (6:26) Cade Cunningham: 25 pts, 15th game of 20+ pts in playoffs (8:48) Evan Mobley: Limited impact with 9 pts (13:52 ) Tobias Harris: 21 pts, 7 reb, 7th game of 20+ pts in playoffs (17:27) Lakers-Thunder: Lakers competitive early in 125-107 loss to OKC (24:47) Lakers-Thunder: Officiating crew ruined flow of the game (28:16) Knicks injury concerns: OG Anunoby day-to-day with hamstring strain (35:23) Knicks' fourth-quarter lockdown: Held Sixers to 12 pts on 4-19 shooting (40:59) Wolves - Spurs: Seven Spurs scored in double figures in blowout win (45:28) R-A-I-D! Ant-Man 12 pts, 5-13 FG, 1-5 from the arc (50:36) Draymond Green: An intense exchange in Charles's house (54:57) Jaylen Brown the streamer: Who was worse, Draymond or Jaylen? (57:58) Sunday’s draft lottery: Grizzlies have 37.2 percent chance of a top-four pick The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →T’Wolves Steal Game, The Knicks Blowout Tour Continues, and Can The Lakers Make Another Push?
2w ago01:09:49Tap to summarizeVerno and Jacoby return to react to Monday’s playoff matchups. Minnesota takes the first game in San Antonio, and the Knicks continue to click on all cylinders. Then they preview the Lakers-Thunder and Cavs-Pistons series. Welcome to The Mismatch! (0:23) Wolves-Spurs: Wolves Steal game 1, Champagnie misses last-second shot (1:37) Timberwolves with early series road victory 104-102 (3:42) Randle Double-Double: 21 pts, 10 Reb, Clutch buckets in the 4th (11:06) Anthony Edwards Return: 18pts (8/13 FG) 4th Quarter Heroics (13:57) Wemby 12-Block Night: Playoff Record not enough in defeat (20:47) Wolves Shut Down Spurs Stars: Contain Wemby in Game 1 (23:43) 76ers-Knicks: New York takes game 1 with a 137-98 victory (26:03) Brunson Dominates: 35pts, 27 in first half (27:06) Knicks put on Clinic: 63% Fg, 51% from the Arch (30:13) Knicks Capitalize on Sixers' 19 turnovers (32:59) Sixers Stars Flat Effort: Maxey 13pts, George 17pts (33:48) Cavs-Pistons: JB Bickerstaff Revenge Series (43:42) Jaylen Brown Meltdown on Twitch (48:03) Embiid Struggles: 14pts on 3 for 11 Shooting (54:29) Lakers-OKC: Thunder outscored LA by 117pts in regular season sweep (1:03:23) 2019 Draft Loyalty Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →Knicks and Wolves Advance, While the Sixers Force Game 7!
3w ago01:12:44Tap to summarizeImmediately after the Wolves put away the Nuggets, Verno and Jacoby fire up the mics to recap Thursday night’s action from the NBA playoffs. (0:17) Welcome to The Mismatch! (1:42) The Wolves finish off the upset over the Nuggets to advance to the second round (16:32) The Knicks demolish the Hawks in a blowout win to advance (26:13) The 76ers send the series back to Boston for Game 7 (46:49) Who is smiling more: Mike Malone or Steve Kerr? (50:55) Raptors-Cavaliers preview (55:51) Magic-Pistons preview (1:00:14) Rockets-Lakers preview The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Brian Waters and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →Pistons on The Ropes, Thunder Sweep, and Nuggets Force A Game 6
3w ago01:11:30Tap to summarizeVerno and Jacoby return to react to Monday’s playoff matchup, including the Magic taking a 3-1 lead over the Pistons and the Thunder advancing to the 2nd round. Then, they discuss how the Nuggets force a game 7, the Knicks looking to take a 3-2 lead, and the confusion of the Raptors-Cavs and Rockets-Lakers matchups. Welcome to The Mismatch! (0:23) Pistons-Magic: Jamal Cain’s dunk is one of the best in Playoff History (1:57) Magic beat the Pistons, Pistons on the ropes down 3-1 (8:47) Jamal Cain makes a name for himself with a "forever dunk” (13:49) Thunder sweep Suns, 12-0 over the past 3 seasons in the first round. (20:30) Wolves-Nuggets: Injuries will make it tough for Wolves to win series (26:56) 76ers-Celtics: Boston leads series 3-1, Joel Embiid back, Tatum in elite form (34:27) Hawks-Knicks: Series tied 2-2, KAT is the ‘Missing Piece’ for success (39:11) Blazers-spurs: SA leads series 3-1, Wemby good to go after concussion (45:41) Raptors-Cavs: Series tied 2-2, the NBA is really going to make us watch this matchup (51:26) Rockets-Lakers: LA leads series 3-1, Matchup is bad basketball (57:28) Cooper Flagg wins ‘Rookie of the Year’ Award over Kon Knueppel. Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →Game 3 Clichés in Full Effect as Hawks, Raptors, and Wolves Win at Home!
4w ago01:11:22Tap to summarizeClichés are clichés for a reason. Jacoby and Verno fire up the mics after all three home teams won on Thursday night. (:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (0:24) Three Game 3s before Wolves-Nuggets Finish (1:55) McDaniels 9-of-13 Shooting, Jokic Hasn't Looked Like The Best Player (10:54) Knicks-Hawks: Is the Sky Falling for NY Knicks Fans? (16:32) Clutch Collapse: Brunson Turnover, Bridges’s Vanishing Act, and Supporting Cast Drought (27:11) Raptors-Cavs: Barnes and Barrett 33 Points Each in Blowout (32:04) Lakers-Rockets: Must-Win For Rockets Against Short-Handed Lakers (39:00) Celtics-76ers: Tatum-Brown Vs. Maxey-Edgecombe in Philly ( 45:22) Spurs-Blazers: Wemby Likely Out With Concussion, Blazers Looking to Upset (56:41) Predictions and Weekend Slate of Games: Pistons-Magic, Thunder-Suns (1:04:03) Devin Booker Fined $35k For Criticizing Refs The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Brian Waters and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →CJ Stuns the Garden, Minny Upsets, and Billy Donovan Out as Bulls HC
4w ago01:21:53Tap to summarizeVerno and Jacoby return to react to Monday night’s thrillers in Denver and New York, the Cavs dominance, and preview Tuesday night’s playoff matchups. Plus, they discuss Billy Donovan stepping down as the Bulls head coach. Welcome to The Mismatch! (0:45) Knicks game 2 collapse turns Hawks' CJ McCollum into a villain (21:28) Wolves-Nuggets: Timberwolves steal game 2 in Denver (32:10) Weekend Play-in finals were terrible (34:28) Raptors-Cavs: Cleveland handles Toronto in game 2 (42:53) 76ers-Celtics: Sixers' horrendous start, 4-23 from three (48:53) Blazers-Spurs: Spurs aim to take 2-0 lead on Portland (53:55) Blazers owner being cheap, no T-shirts and two-ways allowed (59:56) Rockets-Lakers: Two non-playoff teams in the playoffs (1:03:31) Magic-Pistons: Detroit faces must-win after game 1 upset (1:08:37) Breaking News: Billy Donovan steps down as Bulls coach after six seasons (1:12:01) Jacoby takes on the red carpet of 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →Play-In Madness and Things We Care About in the First Round
Apr 1701:25:41Tap to summarizeVerno and Jacoby return to react to the opening games of the play-in tournament and preview the final games on Friday. Then, they discuss the things they care about heading into the opening round of the NBA playoffs. Welcome to The Mismatch! (0:30) Play-in tournament recap (2:03) Hornets-Heat: The game was wildly entertaining (7:06) Magic-76ers: Magic fans would rather watch Hornets-Pistons (11:29) Warriors-Clippers: Vintage masterpiece by Steph and Green (24:15) Blazers-Suns: Devin Booker will be front and center vs. the Warriors (28:48) Things we care about going into the playoffs (29:09) Things we care about: Wings vs. bigs in the Cavs-Toronto matchup (32:34) Things we care about: What if the Cavs lose? (38:11) Things we care about: Last run for this iteration of the Wolves (43:05) Things we care about: Nuggets must close quick (47:48) Things we care about: Can the Knicks run with the Hawks? (49:43) Things we care about: The Knicks' transition defense (53:28) Things we care about: Mitchell Robinson’s free throw shooting (1:00:06) Things we care about: Can the Celtics' regular-season success carry into the playoffs? (1:03:19) Things we care about: Is effort the Moneyball of the NBA? (1:06:08) Things we care about: Who doesn’t love Tyrese Maxey? (1:12:29) Things we care about: Small-market energy (1:16:05) Things we care about: Battle scars The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Leave us a message on our Mismatch voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →Play-in Previews, Plus Surprises and Disappointments from This Season
Apr 1401:19:21Tap to summarizeVerno and Jacoby return to react to the final weekend of the NBA regular season, take a look at the 2026 Play-in Tournament, and break down the playoff matchups. Then, they give their biggest surprises and disappointments from the regular season. Welcome to The Mismatch! 01:45 Previewing the Play-in Tournament 02:28 Heat-Hornets: Heat are a tough out, Hornets are young 8:40 Blazers-Suns: Next round vs. Spurs favors the Trail Blazers 14:47 Magic-76ers: Will this be a revenge game for Philly? 18:35 Warriors-Clippers: Warriors stumbling into matchup 25:12 Knicks-Hawks: Initial thoughts for the matchup 29:06 Rockets-Lakers: Luka has to be available to beat the Rockets 34:18 Wolves-Nuggets: The underdog has been a problem for Denver in the past 39:35 Verno’s Surprises: The Spurs' huge leap from the lottery 43:10 Jacoby’s Surprises: How much better the Celtics were going into the season 46:54 Verno’s Disappointments: How reckless tanking has become in the NBA 48:39 Jacoby’s Disappointments: The NBA turning into a law firm 51:56 Verno’s Surprises: The statistical greatness of Nikola Jokić 57:55 Jacoby’s Surprises: 2025 draft class was really impactful 59:32 Verno’s Disappointments: Doc Rivers and the disaster of the Bucks 1:01:37 Jacoby’s Disappointments: NBC selling us Michael Jordan and not delivering 1:03:45 Verno’s Surprises: The Clippers recovering from their bad start 1:06:07 Jacoby’s Surprises: Clippers sending CP3 into retirement 1:13:34 Jacoby’s Disappointments: Chauncey Billups in a federal indictment The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. (only needed when baked-in FanDuel ad read is in episode) Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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