Two Crazy Play-In Games, and 2026 NBA Awards Picks With Kirk Goldsberry and Joe House

In this three-part episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, Bill Simmons, Kirk Goldsberry, and Joe House deliver a dynamic analysis of the wild NBA play-in games, spotlighting Denny Abdiya’s 41-point, 12-rebound masterpiece that propelled Portland to a dramatic victory and redefined his All-NBA worthiness. They critique LaMelo Ball’s high-volume, inefficient performance in Charlotte’s overtime win, underscoring the gap between regular-season brilliance and playoff maturity. The trio explores the broader implications of young, inexperienced teams navigating high-pressure moments, emphasizing the critical role of veteran leadership and coaching. The conversation pivots to award predictions, with strong praise for Joe Mazzulla’s transformative impact on the Celtics, turning a struggling roster into a 56-win juggernaut through culture-building and strategic acumen. The MVP race intensifies around Luka Doncic, with speculation about his potential absence due to a controversial appeal reshaping the landscape, while Jokic’s statistical dominance and on-off splits emerge as compelling arguments for his candidacy. Defensive Player of the Year debates highlight Kaysan Wallace’s elite perimeter defense and the unique value of a five-man defensive unit anchored by Wemby, Chet Holmgren, and Rudy Gobert. Rookie of the Year honors are hotly contested between Cooper Flagg’s growth on a rebuilding team and Khan’s historic all-around stats on a winning squad, with Khan ultimately favored. The episode closes with forward-looking playoff projections, including Atlanta as a credible upset threat over New York due to their strong analytics profile, despite bench concerns, and skepticism about Toronto’s ability to overcome Cleveland’s offensive firepower. The discussion also touches on the Masters, celebrating Rory McIlroy’s historic back-to-back victories, and promotes new content, including the 'Legata' podcast and responsible gambling resources from Fanduel.