The Ringer NBA Show

Austin and Pausha are joined by Karl-Anthony Towns to discuss his triumphant return to the court after missing over 50 games with a Grade 3 calf strain (1:37). They reflect on Minnesota’s warm welcome, KAT’s big 22-point return, and how the team held it down without him for almost four months (8:23). Then, they go down memory lane and reflect on KAT’s career with his carousel of coaches, GMs, and...

Logan is joined by national NBA writer for the Boston Globe Gary Washburn to discuss Jaylen Brown’s recent comments on his future with the Boston Celtics and his complicated relationship with the team. Finally, they close out with their Real Ones of the Week. Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Guest: Gary Washburn Producer: Jonathan Kermah Production Assistant: Kai Grady Learn more about your ad c...

By the 2025-26 season, which teams will be in the best or worst situations? Justin, Rob, and Wos each pick the five teams they believe have the worst outlook, including the Wizards, Rockets, and Blazers (01:11). Then, they each pick the teams they believe have the brightest future, including the Cavaliers, Thunder, and Grizzlies (53:18). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Produce...

Seerat and Kyle get together to discuss the NBA Rookie of the Year award. They start their conversation by talking about past winners of the award and debating if players who win the award are destined for all-time greatness. This leads to a conversation about the ’09-10 season race between Tyreke Evans and Steph Curry and other particularly impressive rookie debuts in NBA history (11:59). After t...

Logan and Raja are back to discuss the recent back-and-forth between Dillon Brooks and Klay Thompson and the significance of a team enforcer (3:00). Next, they briefly talk about Michael Jordan as a front office executive (33:46). Later, Kerm joins the guys for ‘Snowfall’ talk (40:56). Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Producer: Jonathan Kermah Production Assistant: Kai Grady Learn more about you...

Wos returns with The Athletic’s basketball analytics writer, Seth Partnow, to discuss the drastic explosion of scoring in the NBA and how that is affecting the game, the Milwaukee Bucks as the leading Eastern Conference team, and where they see the Bucks as finals contenders. Lastly, the two discuss the their potential picks for MVPs. Host: Wosny Lambre Guest: Seth Partnow Producer: Brian Waters a...

Austin and Pausha tap into March Madness and recap Pausha’s in-person experience watching the wild Virginia-Furman game, before they discuss the difference between college and professional hoops (1:20). Then, they switch gears and try to make sense of scuffles around the league, including the recent confrontation involving Giannis, Trey Lyles, and Brook Lopez (13:58). They also weigh in on the “ri...

Logan and Raja are joined by longtime ESPN sports writer and two-time New York Times best-selling author Brian Windhorst to discuss his story on top NBA prospect Victor Wembanyama and how the French phenom is readying himself for the league (8:09). Along the way, Windhorst highlights how Wembanyama compares to LeBron James as a generational prospect (31:57). Later, he talks about the impact of the...

Justin, Rob, and Wos recap the Clippers’ victory over the Warriors (03:00). They discuss how Stephen Curry’s 50-point performance wasn’t enough to overcome the team’s struggles and whether the Clippers are starting to jell. Then they break down the Sixers’ victory over the Cavaliers (21:29). They debate whether Philadelphia will be able to jump over Boston for the second seed in the East. Finally,...

Kyle and Seerat begin by discussing the online responses to Kyle’s “sicko” segment from a couple of weeks ago. They then dive into the complicated history of the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award, from its awkward and sometimes controversial beginnings as the “Comeback Player” prize to its current context and philosophical application (5:15). Next, they take a look at past award winners and examine...

Logan and Raja are back to give their reactions to Monday’s Memphis Grizzlies–Dallas Mavericks matchup before discussing Ja Morant’s ongoing absence from the Grizzlies and how the team has responded (2:00). Along the way, they talk about the injuries to Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic and debate whether the All-Star pairing is working out (17:00). Next, they touch on this year’s tight MVP race and ma...

Justin and Kyle share their instant reactions to Saturday’s overtime thriller between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Golden State Warriors. They talk about the inconsistency issues that have plagued the Warriors this season, Stephen Curry’s incredible performance, and the significance of tonight’s big win (1:14). Later, the guys talk about the depth of the Bucks’ bench, Khris Middleton’s recent strug...

Austin and Pausha weigh in on the recent happenings with Ja Morant (6:12) and Kevin Durant’s ankle injury during warm-ups (17:12). Then, they break down Kendrick Perkins’s comments around Nikola Jokic’s MVP candidacy (25:31), address the ongoing feud between Dillon Brooks and Draymond Green (31:37), and discuss the teams leading both conferences ahead of the playoffs (41:17). Later, Austin outs hi...

Wos is back, and he sits down with Jerry Ferrara, an actor on the HBO comedy series ‘Entourage’ and Starz series ‘Power,’ to talk all things New York Knicks in the midst of their 10-game winning streak, including the team's run this season and where they see the Knicks in the upcoming playoffs. Host: Wosny Lambre Guest: Jerry Ferrara Producers: Brian Waters and Jade Whaley Learn more about your ad...

Logan and Raja are back to discuss the wave of injuries to NBA stars and how it’s impacting the playoff runs for certain teams (1:50). Along the way, Logan goes through potential playoff matchups around the league and asks Raja to give his series predictions (17:34). Next, the guys discuss Fred VanVleet’s postgame comments on officiating (26:15). Later, they talk about the fiery back-and-forth bet...

In the style of ‘Survivor,’ Justin, Rob, and Wos cast their votes for every team in the Western Conference. Who will be voted off the island first, and who will ultimately be declared the best team in the West? Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Producer: Eduardo Ocampo Production Supervision: Benjamin Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Seerat is joined by The Ringer’s own Michael Pina to discuss the state of the Philadelphia 76ers heading into the playoffs. They begin by examining Joel Embiid’s recent performances, the adjustments he’s made within his game throughout the season, and the possible effects of his incredible usage rate. Then they debate whether or not they believe in James Harden’s playmaking abilities and his compa...

Raja and Logan open the show with reactions to the Suns-Mavericks game (02:00) before pivoting to the Knicks and their success this season (12:00). Then, the guys dive into the Sacramento Kings and what to expect from them in the postseason (24:00). Later, they take a break from talking hoops and give their thoughts on the final season of ‘Snowfall’ (52:00). Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Prod...

Austin and Pausha are back and kicking things off by discussing KD’s debut with the Phoenix Suns (3:46). They touch on Durant’s performance alongside Devin Booker, dive into his role on this particular team, and discuss which tenure was more successful: KD with the Warriors or LeBron with the Heat (5:06). Then, they dive into Charles Barkley’s comments about load management and provide insight fro...

Michael Pina is joined by CBS Sports writer James Herbert to ask and answer some of the biggest questions about the season’s stretch run. Are the Lakers dead? Can Ty Lue ever figure out his rotation (and bench Russell Westbrook)? Is Golden State a sleeping giant? Which teams are going to make the playoffs at the bottom of the Eastern Conference? What’s different about the Sixers this year as oppos...

Logan and Raja are back to recap Kevin Durant’s first game with the Phoenix Suns and discuss how he fits with the team (0:00). Later, the guys address the serious accounts about Ja Morant's behavior and what that means for him and for the Memphis Grizzlies (0:00). Finally, the guys close out with their Real Ones of the Week (00:00). Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Associate Producer: Jonathan K...

Justin, Rob, and Wos figure out what to make of some of the story lines surrounding the league as the end of the regular season approaches. They start off by debating whether the Lakers are cooked (03:30), if the Pelicans are even more cooked (11:24), and the teams from the West that have a shot at the play-in (18:23). Later: the Grizzlies (24:39), Quin Snyder’s arrival in Atlanta (30:03), the Buc...

Kyle and Seerat start their conversation by talking about their time at All-Star weekend and a particularly contentious experience Kyle had at a local restaurant recently. They then talk about the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award, the general philosophy of the role, and the history of the position (10:09). Next, they dive into the evolution of the sixth man, how Manu Ginóbili embodied its true spir...

Logan and Raja are back to discuss the recent stretch of historic scoring performances from both players and teams, what’s behind the surge, and the current culture around scoring (4:00). Next, they talk about Quin Snyder’s five-year contract to become the head coach for the Atlanta Hawks and what that means for the future of the franchise (22:00). Along the way, the guys unpack what the Lakers-Ma...

Austin and Pausha are back after the All-Star break to discuss how the weekend shook out and what could help improve ratings (3:28). Then, they discuss the turn of the season with 21 games left (18:50), touch on Mike Conley’s addition to the Timberwolves (21:22), and review Russell Westbrook's involuntary role as the best buyout player in the league (27:47). Later, they talk Ben Simmons’s career (...