A Magic Upset, a Lakers Surprise, Playoff Wemby, El Cheapo, Bill’s Award Flip, and Other Round 1 Notes With Zach Lowe

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Zach Lowe LIVE on Netflix after Trail Blazers vs. Spurs to recap all the NBA playoff Game 1s (0:32). Then, Bill explains why he changed his MVP vote, discusses what the eliminated play-in teams should do in the offseason, and much more (01:12:17). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Zach Lowe Producers: Chia Hao Tat, Eduardo Ocampo, and Chris Wohlers Brought to you by PayPal. Learn more at https://paypal.com/payin4 The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠⁠⁠ www.rg-help.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Doc Rivers to react to the Warriors taking down the Clippers to keep their playoff hopes alive, Wemby and the Spurs’ improvement this season, and the Bucks' season (5:17). Then, Nick Khan joins to talk about the future of WWE, WrestleMania 42, and much more (01:27:18)! Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Doc Rivers and Nick Khan Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo This episode is sponsored by State Farm®. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠⁠⁠ www.rg-help.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Kirk Goldsberry and Joe House to recap the Hornets taking down the Heat and the Trail Blazers securing the West's 7-seed in the first two Play-In Tournament games (3:26). Then, Bill and Kirk break down their NBA awards picks for the season (57:13). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Kirk Goldsberry and Joe House Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo Shop your favorite local grocers on Uber Eats! https://www.ubereats.com/brand/kroger The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠⁠⁠ www.rg-help.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe preview the 2026 NBA playoffs on the final day of the regular season before doing a draft of the most intriguing guys in the playoffs (0:32). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Zach Lowe Producers: Chia Hao Tat, Eduardo Ocampo, and Chris Wohlers Bundle and Save Book now on Expedia.com The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠⁠⁠ www.rg-help.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons reacts to Thursday night's Knicks-Celtics game before being joined by Tim Legler to discuss Joel Embiid’s bizarre surgery news, Scoot Henderson and the Trail Blazers, and possible playoff matchups (0:06). Then, Bill asks five questions to try to narrow down the MVP race (01:18:50). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Tim Legler Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo Learn More at https://linkedin.com/simmonsbill The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠⁠⁠ www.rg-help.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Kevin Wildes to present another set of Half-Baked Ideas (7:57). Then, Nathan Hubbard comes on to discuss the biggest story lines ahead of the Masters and Coachella (01:01:55). Finally, Joanna Robinson joins to break down ‘The Pitt’ before previewing ‘Euphoria’ ahead of the new season, and much more (01:28:17). Host: Bill SimmonsGuests: Kevin Wildes, Nathan Hubbard, and Joanna RobinsonProducers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠⁠⁠ www.rg-help.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Zach Lowe LIVE on Netflix to react to the Nuggets-Spurs OT game before discussing the Lakers' injuries (0:32). Then, they give out their 2026 Made-Up NBA Awards (23:28). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Zach Lowe Producers: Chia Hao Tat, Eduardo Ocampo, and Chris Wohlers Brought to you by PayPal. Learn more at https://paypal.com/payin4 The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠⁠⁠ www.rg-help.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Joe House to discuss the Tiger Woods situation before diving into the mailbag to answer some questions from the listeners (2:53). Then, Jason Concepcion hops on to talk about the Knicks heading into the playoffs and ‘Survivor 50’ (01:08:11). Finally, Bill’s dad checks in to talk Boston sports and television shows (01:51:35). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Joe House, Jason Concepcion, and Bill’s dad Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo #ULTRACourtside could get you closer to the game! https://michelobultra.com/courtside MICHELOB ULTRA® COURTSIDE ’25 to ’26. No Purchase Necessary. Open to US residents 21 plus. Begins on October 1, 2025 and ends on June 30, 2026 Multiple entry periods. See Official Rules at https://michelobultra.com/courtside for free entry, entry deadlines, prizes, and details. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠⁠⁠ www.rg-help.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Chuck Klosterman to discuss a new fix for tanking in the NBA, before diving into a convo about fixing the NBA product as a whole (2:49). Then, they discuss the development of student-athletes and the draft process (40:15). Finally, they break down Wemby’s game, ABS in MLB, and more (01:05:50). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Chuck Klosterman Producers: Chia Hao Tat, and Eduardo Ocampo Sam’s Club | Join The Club of Yes And #ULTRACourtside could get you closer to the game! https://michelobultra.com/courtside MICHELOB ULTRA® COURTSIDE ’25 to ’26. No Purchase Necessary. Open to US residents 21 plus. Begins on October 1, 2025 and ends on June 30, 2026 Multiple entry periods. See Official Rules at https://michelobultra.com/courtside for free entry, entry deadlines, prizes, and details. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠⁠⁠ www.rg-help.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join The Ringer’s Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe LIVE on Netflix right after Knicks vs. Thunder to react to UConn’s buzzer beater against Duke before diving into a scary playoff team draft (0:32). Then, they discuss the NBA expansion plans and take a deep dive into the weirdest NBA season’s ever (01:01:29). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Zach Lowe Producers: Chia Hao Tat, Eduardo Ocampo, and Chris Wohlers Sam’s Club | Join The Club of Yes And Bundle and Save Book now on Expedia.com The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠⁠⁠ www.rg-help.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices