The Zach Lowe Show (The Ringer)

Episode: Player Combos to Watch Down the Stretch, Playoff Races, and Awards Talk!
Date: March 31, 2026
Host: Zach Lowe
Guest: Big Wos (“Big Woz”)

Episode Overview

Zach Lowe and Big Wos break down the most intriguing NBA player combinations and lineups to watch as the regular season closes, analyze pivotal lineup questions for contending teams, and dig into the tightest playoff races in both conferences. The discussion expands into early award ballots and finish with candid, insightful takes on team structures, coaching futures, and more.

1. Draft: Lineups & Player Combos to Watch Down the Stretch

Main Theme:
Which lineups and player combos will define the stretch run and impact the NBA playoff picture? Both Lowe and Wos emphasize the intrigue around units that haven’t played many minutes together due to injuries or late roster changes.

Top Picks From the Lineup Draft

Cleveland Cavaliers Big Four

• Both chose:
  The “big four” of Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jared Allen.

  • Only 48 minutes together this season across 4 games; Cavs are +39 in those minutes.
  • Key intrigue: How do Mitchell and Harden split offensive duties? Who is the fifth guy? (Streuss, Merrill, Ellis, Schroder, or Dean Wade?)

• Quote:
  “The Cavs like, they need to get back in the spotlight. We need to put them back in the spotlight because when you trade up 10 years in age from Garland to Harden...you are sending a signal like, this is an urgent season. We need to make this work right now.”
  — Zach Lowe (06:33)

• Wos adds:
  February was Allen’s best month ever, and it’s no coincidence it came after Harden’s arrival; Harden’s pick-and-roll wizardry has elevated Allen.

Other Lineups of Note

• Knicks starting five:
  Good, but haven’t been dominant; agitation among fans about Mikal Bridges and lineup tweaks is ongoing.
• Clippers new starting five:
  Garland, Kawhi, Derrick Jones Jr., John Collins, Brook Lopez — +26 in 77 minutes. Garland thriving since the trade.
  • “That’s the classic… People break up and then one goes on a strict diet and starts posting stuff from the gym…”
    — Wos on Garland’s post-Cavs form (13:24)

Boston Celtics Star Pairing: Tatum and Brown

• Wos’s pick:
  Focus on Tatum returning from injury, recalibrating how and when he asserts himself. Brown is playing at a near-MVP level.
• Lowe’s angle:
  The Pritchard-White-Brown-Tatum lineup (+39 in 32 minutes) has been especially potent defensively and offensively.
• “Right now, 75 games in, I think the Celtics' highest level has been the highest of all the teams in the East.”
  — Zach Lowe (19:08)

Denver Nuggets Defensive Mix

• Lowe’s pick:
  Can Denver’s combos (especially with Gordon and Watson together) lift their bottom-8 defense? Jokic’s post-injury defense is a worry.

• “After a bunch of their recent games, I’ve just texted or called coaches… and they're all like, alarmed...specifically at Jokic.”
  — Zach Lowe (25:47)

• Wos adds:
  Before injury, Jokic was league MVP-level and team defense was top-3. Since, “it is Jokic…teams are targeting him...he’s just straight up not trying.”

Philadelphia 76ers With Paul George and Embiid Return

• Key watch:
  Paul George in an “Iguodala role,” Embiid’s health and mobility — both crucial to any playoff hope.
• Lowe:
  Sixers likely to be most dangerous in the first round, given extra rest days between games.
• “Embiid walks out of bed, yawns into 25 points, but defensively is what I’ve got my eye on…he’s still moving weirdly.”
  — Wos (28:44)

Honorable Mentions

• Houston’s new starting five (with Reed Sheppard); Phoenix’s options as Dylan Brooks nears return
• Thunder’s hyper-defensive SGA-Caruso-Mitchell-J Dub-Holmgren lineup
• Minnesota’s flexibility if McDaniels (injured, “week to week”) returns

2. Key Playoff Races

West: 4–6 Seed Race / "Who Gets Houston?"

• Wos:
  Most compelling playoff “race” is who draws Houston, whom he calls “the obvious lemon” among 3–6 seeds.
  • “Whoever draws Houston should be high-fiving … Houston ain’t it, Zach. I’m sorry.”
    — Wos (55:07)
  • Wos sees chemistry issues, “coach doesn’t like the players and the players don’t like him.”
• Lowe agrees:
  West #1 seed between Spurs & Thunder will be dramatic; but 4–6 impacts everyone. Denver likely locked in at 4/5, Wolves & Rockets tiebreaker may be huge (April 10).

East: Play-in Chaos (5–10)

• Charlotte and Philly (if healthy) could scare anyone—they’re “real playoff teams.”
• Top four (Boston, New York, Cleveland, Detroit) still solid, but none are guaranteed cakewalks in Round 1.
• “If you can't … win in the first round, forget it.”
  — Zach Lowe (62:19)

3. Award Races: What's Locked, What's Not?

MVP

• Locked for: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)
  • Wos: “It’s locked. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.”
  • Gives a nod to Jokic’s pre-injury dominance, but Wemby’s defense runs countered by Shai’s outsized offense and minutes edge.
  • Lowe: “I think Shai is the MVP. I really don’t even care if the Spurs pass the Thunder.”
    (66:44)
  • Both agree: Wemby deserves consideration, but offense outweighs.

Defensive Player of the Year

• Locked: Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)
  • Both see Holmgren/Anunoby as next-best; Ast. Thompson, Derrick White, etc., in mix.

Rookie of the Year

• Locked: Kanaan Flag (Charlotte)
  • Efficiency, impact on a winning team, “killer” mentality cited.
  • Lowe: “I would have Khan, Flag, VJ as the order. All three are first-team All-Rookie.” (72:29)
  • Both think Cooper Flagg (Boston) will be the better NBA player long-term.

Coach of the Year

• Locked: Joe Mazzulla (Boston)
  • Wos: "I don’t care what he says about not wanting the award…He’s the Coach of the Year." (73:45)
  • Both heap praise on Brad Stevens as GM as well.

Other Coaching/GM Nods

• Mitch Johnson (Spurs), J.B. Bickerstaff (Cleveland), Reddick (New York), Ott (NYK), Darko Rajkovic (Toronto)
• Johnson praised for “selling young guys on selfless, disciplined play, especially offensively.”

All-NBA Team: Who's In?

• Lowe: 14 of 15 spots nearly locked in:

  • Luka, Wemby, Jokic, SGA (first-team locks)
  • Jalen Brown, Anthony Edwards, Donovan Mitchell, Kawhi Leonard, Tyrese Maxey, Jalen Duren, Jamal Murray, Jalen Brunson, Jalen Johnson, and Cam Whitmore/Durant

• Fringe candidates: Devin Booker, Chet Holmgren, Scottie Barnes, Bam Adebayo, Mobley, Canipple/LaMelo Ball

• On Chet:
  “Offensively, he’s been good even though he’s overqualified in terms of stature as a pressure release valve ... His defensive impact is just understated...he’s a menace.”
  — Wos (87:23)

4. Coaching Carousel Watch

• Lowe lists up to 10 possible job openings this offseason, including Portland, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Golden State, Orlando, Chicago, Washington, and Dallas.
• Portland’s ownership change (Tom Dundon) could create front-office upheaval.
• Nick Nurse, Daryl Morey in Philly; Doc Rivers in Milwaukee; Steve Kerr in Golden State; all tenure questions.

5. Zach’s “Random Thoughts” (Takes & Observations)

• Jazz’s young core could be a 50-win team next year—Cody Williams and Ace Bailey showing real growth.
• Toronto’s Jacoby Walter is finishing the year strong.
• Boston’s end-of-quarter math tweaks (possibly playing "three for two" or "four for three" possessions).
• “Two challenges are enough” for NBA coaches—Lowe disputes endless review arguments.
  • “If you have infinite challenges, then when does the challenge end?” — Zach Lowe (51:59)

Notable Quotes

• “The Cavs...they need to get back in the spotlight. When you trade up 10 years in age from Garland to Harden...this is an urgent season.”
  — Zach Lowe (06:33)

• “Houston ain’t it. It just feels like the coach doesn’t like the players and the players don’t like him back. That does not feel like a winning combo.”
  — Big Wos (55:07)

• “If you have infinite challenges, then when does the challenge end...The games are too long. Two challenges is enough.”
  — Zach Lowe (51:59)

• “Mazzulla is my coach of the year. The Celtics are a machine of good decisions that are really well calculated and stem from the coaching staff.”
  — Zach Lowe (77:46)

Structure of the Episode with Key Timestamps

• 03:18 — Mets banter, NBA stretch run setup
• 04:47 — Combo/lineup draft begins (Cavs)
• 06:33 — Lowe on Cavs urgency; Big Wos on Allen/Harden link
• 13:24 — Clippers, Garland “post-breakup” bounce
• 16:05 — Boston’s star duo, Tatum’s recalibration
• 19:08 — Celtics’ best foursome, East pecking order
• 22:48 — Nuggets lineups & defensive woes
• 28:34 — Sixers, Paul George & Embiid’s health
• 40:00–54:44 — Coaching carousel, Jazz future, Celtics/East thoughts
• 54:51 — Playoff races: Houston & 4–6 in West, East play-in
• 62:19 — Awards discussion (MVP, DPOY, etc.)
• 73:45 — Coach of the year talk (Joe Mazzulla)
• 82:29 — Quick hit: Sixth Man, Most Improved
• 83:58 — All-NBA locks and remaining races
• 87:23 — On Jalen Duren, Chet Holmgren
• 91:13 — Outro / podcast plugs

Summary Takeaways

• Cavs’ “big four” is the most watched, most crucial lineup variable as the Playoffs near.
• Celtics, Nuggets, Clippers, and Sixers all have unresolved but potentially season-defining lineup questions.
• The West’s 4–6 seed battle is pivotal, mainly for who gets an “easier” series with Houston.
• Awards (MVP, DPOY, ROY, COY) are all but locked, with lively discussion around each candidate’s true value and the limits of defensive metrics.
• A busy coaching market looms, with potentially seismic changes for several contending or high-profile franchises.

Listen for...

• The interplay between Lowe’s stat-geek analysis and Wos’ wit and real-talk
• Rapid-fire, well-argued takes (and a few takes on NY sports and cheese boards)
• How front offices are recalibrating their expectations as the landscape shifts before the playoffs

Further listening:
Catch Zach again on Thursday for more playoff race breakdowns and award analysis as the regular season winds down.