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The Zach Lowe Show

Luka and Wemby Injured! Awards and Western Conference Playoffs Impact.

The Zach Lowe Show

The Ringer

Basketball, Sports

4.82K Ratings

🗓️ 7 April 2026

⏱️ 93 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Zach is joined by Rob Mahoney to discuss how Victor Wembanyama's and Luka Doncic’s injuries affect postseason awards and the Western Conference playoffs. Plus, they dissect what’s gone wrong in Chicago, dive into the Bucks-Giannis dysfunction, and compare their all-rookie teams. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (2:09) Rob Mahoney joins the show! (3:14) Victor Wembanyama leaves game with bruised rib (11:37) All-defense team picks (18:48) All-NBA team picks (38:21) No timetable for Luka’s return (43:27) How to navigate the Western Conference playoffs (54:22) Inside the Bucks and Giannis dysfunction (1:07:04) Chicago Bulls disarray continues (1:17:52) All-rookie teams Host: Zach Lowe Guest: Rob Mahoney Producers: Mike Wargon, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil Social: Keith Fujimoto #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

Transcript

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0:00.0

All right, coming up on a loaded Zach Lowe showed the great Rob Mahoney is here.

0:10.6

And holy smokes, is there a lot to talk about.

0:13.2

And a lot of it is depressing and 65 game rule related.

0:17.1

Victor Wembeyanama bruised rib left the game last night, San Antonio, Philly.

0:23.2

He needs to play in one more game to be eligible for like every award imaginable.

0:27.9

This is the most impactful awards injury, maybe in the history of the NBA.

0:32.2

Knock on wood, hopefully he can sneak in and it's not anything more than a bruised rib.

0:35.9

That typically is like a weak recovery.

0:37.4

Luca is headed to Europe to try to speed up his recovery from calf issues to be ready for some point in the playoffs whenever that would be. Austin Reeves' timetable a little more set in stone. Luca may appeal his ineligibility for L&B. We're like running out of people. There's a new Yannis story. You'll never believe it, but the honest situation is even messier than we've previously known. Rob Mahoney's going to talk about all that. We're going to debate his all-MBA, all-rooky, all-defense picks that he made on group chat the other day. We're going to revise them in light of all of this spate of injuries. We're going to talk playoff seedings mania.

1:33.2

Who wants the third seat in the West? Five to ten in the East is still a complete mess with a bunch of head-to-head matchups left to go. More awards talk, more playoff talk. It's all coming up on the Zach Lowe show with Rob Mahoney. The Zach Lowe show is brought to you by Fandul. The NBA postseason is here, and Fandle knows the only thing better than watching your favorite team win is winning along with them.

1:37.5

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1:41.0

Build a same game parlay or try live betting and jump in after tip-off. And don't forget, with Fanduil, you get paid instantly when you win.

1:44.9

Download the Fanduil Sportsbook app now and play your game.

1:48.6

21 over in select states, 18 and over in D.C., Kentucky, Wyoming.

1:52.1

Gambling problem.

1:52.7

Called 1-800-Gambler.

1:54.1

Call 1-888-789-7777.

1:57.1

Or visit ccg.org slash chat in Connecticut.

2:11.6

Thank you. or visit ccpg.org slash chat in Connecticut. Welcome to the Zach Lowe show. It's Tuesday morning.

2:13.6

Holy crap, there's a lot going on in the NBA.

2:15.6

Rob Mahoney is here to help us sort it out. How you doing, Rob? I'm doing great. My head is spinning. I'm living in spreadsheets. I'm trying to determine what an eligible game even means these days. You know, we're thriving, Jack. Or Zach. I like that you almost call me by the wrong name. Straight up. Out of the gate.

2:34.5

What am I doing?

...

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