Embiid’s Return, Houston’s Weird Weekend, Joker’s Swoon, and a Knicks Gut Check With Zach Lowe

Join The Ringer’s Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe LIVE on Netflix to break down the Rockets keeping their playoff hopes alive against the Lakers, and the Celtics taking a commanding 3-1 lead against the 76ers (0:31). Then, they recap the rest of the weekend's NBA playoff matchups, take a look at Donovan Mitchell’s playoff history, discuss Nikola Jokic’s struggles, and much more! (45:00). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Zach Lowe Producers: Chia Hao Tat, Eduardo Ocampo, and Chris Wohlers Give No Quits. Shop at your Local Duluth Trading Company Store or Online 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 talks about what a great sports week it is before giving his thoughts on the NFL draft and the Mike Vrabel situation (2:28). Then, Rob Mahoney joins to react to the Timberwolves tying up the series against the Nuggets before recapping the Raptors taking Game 3 against the Cavs and the Hawks taking a 2-1 lead against the Knicks (24:30). Finally, Sean Fennessey hops on to discuss the Knicks' side of the series, the Lakers-Rockets matchup, and Sean’s new newsletter, ‘Projections’ (53:28). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Rob Mahoney and Sean Fennessey 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 catches up on Tuesday's NBA playoff matchups before taking a look at the panic teams (3:00). Then, Todd McShay and Steve Muench join Bill to preview the NFL draft (25:05). Finally, Van Lathan joins to give his thoughts on the new Michael Jackson biopic, ‘Michael’ (01:36:27). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Todd McShay, Steve Muench, and Van Lathan 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 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