Nikola Jokic Looks Like the MVP, Kevin Durant Thriving in Houston and Nico Harrison Out in Dallas | The Dunker Spot

Kevin O’Connor and Tom Haberstroh answer the twelve biggest NBA questions at this point in the season, including whether Houston is a top-tier contender and which team should trade for Anthony Davis. Then they explain why star player injuries have increased and how the league can address this.Next, they discuss Coby White’s impact on the Bulls, Jonathan Kuminga’s fit with the Golden State Warriors and whether the Nets are featuring Michael Porter Jr. for a trade. Plus, they break down LeBron’s season debut, Bam Adebayo’s defensive player of the year odds and the best player comparisons for Kon Knueppel.Later, Sam Vecenie joins the show to break down which rookies are making an impact with this week’s edition of Draft Class.(0:22) Rockets' strange offense(7:27) Who should trade for AD?(13:21) Coby White's impact for Chicago(18:30) Where does Scoot fit with the Blazers?(20:35) Magic, Celtics & Bucks Finals odds(25:47) NBA injury issues(34:31) Updated assessment of Kuminga’s fit(41:27) Michael Porter Jr. recent performances(49:03) LeBron returns to Lakers' lineup(50:51) Bam Adebayo for DPOY?(53:54) Player comps for Kon Kneuppel(59:55) Derik Queen drops 30 on Nuggets(1:09:07) Draft Class with Sam Vecenie(1:20:29) Lottery Lessons: Cam Boozer(1:31:22) Lottery Lessons: AJ Dybantsa(1:39:13) Weekly Movers: Kingston Flemings 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine give their way-too-early awards for the NBA season thus far. They debate whether Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Nikola Jokić should be the NBA MVP and whether the Rookie of the Year award should be awarded to Cooper Flagg or Cedric Coward. Next, they discuss why it’s a unanimous decision to give Victor Wembyanama the Defensive Player of the Year despite his injury and why Ryan Rollins has the strongest case for Most Improved Player of the Year.Plus, why has there been an increase in star player injuries this year? Tom gives his insight. Lastly, LeBron James made his season debut last night against the Utah Jazz. Will he continue to bring the Lakers to life? All that and more!1:14 SGA for MVP?4:10 Jokic for MVP?9:15  Honorable mention MVP: Giannis14:48 Rookie of the Year picks21:02 Wemby for Defensive Player of the Year?27:35 Ryan Rollins for most improved player?29:59 Jalen Duran for most improved player?37:07Jaime Jaquez Jr for 6moy?44:41 NBA star injury crisis55:41 LeBron makes his debut 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

Ariel Helwani joins Kevin O’Connor in-person for a look at the Knicks’ season so far, from Mike Brown’s uptempo system and deep bench rotation to the frustrations of injuries to Brunson and Anunoby. Kevin and Ariel also react to the latest on the Clippers-Kawhi drama.Then, Molly Morrison joins Kevin O’Connor to break down the latest NBA news including Victor Wembanyama’s injury and Jalen Duren’s rising star. Morrison shares insights on Ja Morant, the Grizzlies’ evolving identity and why her Memphis loyalty still runs deep despite roster chaos. The duo unpacks what makes Nikola Jokic’s elusive greatness so compelling and Molly recounts her journey from anonymous Twitter user to a unique voice in basketball media.(0:25) Ariel Helwani on the Knicks(10:58) Ariel Helwani on the Clippers(33:39) Molly Morrison on Victor Wembanyama(54:38) Molly Morrison on Ja Morant 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones roam the baseline with praise for the Oklahoma City Thunder and surprisingly-feisty Atlanta Hawks.Then, they check in on the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Milwaukee Bucks as they deal with teams working to take away their strengths.Finally, the guys do their first All-Star check-in of the season. Who's in? Who's close? What will the US-based teams look like?If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at [email protected] you’d like to join our Dunker Spot Playoff watch parties — they're free, and easy to sign up for — you can do so here: https://www.playback.tv/thedunkerspot(1:27) — Oklahoma City Thunder(20:42) — Atlanta Hawks(36:35) — Minnesota Timberwolves(51:01) — Cleveland Cavaliers(01:03:34) — Milwaukee Bucks(01:08:42) — All-Star check-in 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

Kevin O’Connor asks Es Baraheni if he's gone ‘too far or not far enough,' as they break down if the Atlanta Hawks are better without Trae Young, if the Rockets are truly the best offense in the NBA and whether Lauri Markkanen is worth five first-round picks. Plus, will LeBron's return to the reshaped Lakers be clunky? Next, they share some early-season overreactions, including whether the Nuggets have the best defense of the Nikola Jokic era, if Scottie Barnes is an All-Star and whether the 76ers are now Tyrese Maxey’s team? Speaking of overreactions, they analyze whether Draymond Green takes it too far in a heated fan exchange.(1:08) Hawks better without Trae?(9:14) Do Rockets have the best offense in the NBA?(20:51) Is Markkanen worth 5 first-round picks?(27:45) Will LeBron fit well back with Lakers?(32:18) How good is Denver's defense?(38:09) Scottie Barnes All-Star potential(45:20) Do 76ers belong to Maxey or Embiid?(49:22) Draymond gets into it with a fan 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones are joined by Stephen PridGeon-Garner (PHNX Sports) to discuss the surprisingly hot start of the Phoenix Suns.Then, the guys break down the recent play of Nikola Jokic, who's setting the world on fire with an unrivaled blend of scoring efficiency and playmaking.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at [email protected] you’d like to join our Dunker Spot Playoff watch parties — they're free, and easy to sign up for — you can do so here: https://www.playback.tv/thedunkerspot(2:23) — Similarities between the Suns and the Phoenix Mercury(4:03) — Early expectations & results of new head coach Jordan Ott(12:19) — Devin Booker's growth and usage(28:46) — Complementary play of Grayson Allen, Dillon Brooks and Royce O'Neale(37:08) — Suns defense(53:43) — Rapid fire questions (Jalen Green, Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro, Collin Gillespie, best lineup)(01:06:03) — Nikola Jokic breakdown 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

Kevin O’Connor welcomes Tom Haberstroh to discuss Jokic’s historic 55-point night against the Clippers and the impact of Bradley Beal’s injury for LA. Next, they break down the Thunder's defensive masterclass, detailing their victory over the Lakers. The Thunder now boast a 12-1 record, but can they realistically win 70 games this season?Later, KOC & Tom break down Steph Curry’s 46-point game against the Spurs and Draymond Green’s impressive night holding Wemby to 2/10 with multiple turnovers. In a dramatic twist, Draymond and KOC get into a heated exchange via Threads over Kevin’s analysis of Podz’s comment that he hopes to be better than Steph one day.Plus, Tom shares his top picks for who will replace Nico Harrison and KOC gives his top Rookie of the Year candidates so far this season.(0:38) Jokic scores 55 in Nuggets win(7:03) Bradley Beal out for the season(11:07) Thunder beat Lakers 121-92(21:39) Warriors get win vs. Spurs(25:04) Draymond Green comes at KOC online(37:27) Nico Harrison fired as Mavs GM(53:44) Are Kings planning to rebuild?(56:48) Way-too-early ROTY picks(1:00:08) Silver linings for bad teams(1:06:01) NFL Six Points! with Field Yates(56:48) Way-too-early ROTY picks(1:00:08) Silver linings for bad teams(1:06:01) NFL Six Points! with Field Yates 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine react to the Dallas Mavericks firing Nico Harrison just ten months after trading Luka Dončić to the Lakers and ask if drafting Cooper Flagg accelerated Nico’s exit timeline. The pair deep dives into Jason Kidd’s future with the Mavs and his role in Nico’s firing. They debate how Dallas can improve its lackluster offense while Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving have been sidelined, and ask if it might make sense to trade AD away. Later, Tom & Dan react to the new NBA All-Star format. Can the new changes really bring life back to the All-Star Game, or will it be more of the same?(1:28) The Big Number: Nico Harrison's plan that never was(21:19) The Little Numbers: Mavericks' offensive woes(27:05) The Little Numbers: Anthony Davis missing games(30:56) The Little Numbers: Time to trade away AD?(37:39) The Little Numbers: Mavs 2026 NBA Draft Lottery odds(42:50) NBA announces new All-Star format 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones roam the baseline with some Western Conference love (Nuggets, Rockets) and some surging teams in the East (top-seeded Pistons, rising Raptors).Then, they react to the breaking news out of Dallas — bye-bye, Nico Harrison — before diving into an odd Memphis Grizzlies season. Finally, they close with some well-deserved player shoutouts.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at [email protected] you’d like to join our Dunker Spot Playoff watch parties — they're free, and easy to sign up for — you can do so here: https://www.playback.tv/thedunkerspot(1:58) — Denver Nuggets(19:45) — Houston Rockets(34:50) — Detroit Pistons(44:02) — Toronto Raptors(47:27) — Mavericks to fire Nico Harrison(51:23) — Memphis Grizzlies(01:11:06) — Los Angeles Clippers(01:14:39) — Player Shoutouts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

Kevin O’Connor is joined by Pierre Andresen, aka PeeWeeDaPlug, to discuss the current state of the Dallas Mavericks and if their disappointing 3-7 start will lead to Nico Harrison being fired. They also react to De’Aaron Fox’s return from injury for the Spurs and ask if San Antonio can truly be a title contender when they’re firing on all cylinders. Speaking of firing, with the Orlando Magic struggling despite high expectations, the pair debates whether head coach Jamahl Mosley is truly on the hot seat or if the Orlando players are primarily responsible in this blame game.Later, KOC is joined by James Barlowe to take a look at some of the top prospects for the 2026 NBA Draft. They spotlight standout performances from Koa Peat, AJ Dybantsa, Neoklis Avdalas, Cameron Carr and more.(1:30) Nico Harrison likely to be fired by Mavs(8:21) De'Aaron Fox returns to Spurs lineup(19:45) Rockets mount 4th quarter comeback vs. Bucks(29:38) State of the Phoenix Suns(41:53) Chicago Bulls lose 3 of last 4 games(45:40) Where does Paul George fit on 76ers roster now?(52:12) Is Jamahl Mosley on the hot seat in Orlando?(1:04:32) Draft Class with James Barlowe 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv