Next Steps for Denver? Plus, Reaves’s Return, and Pistons on the Brink!

The Zach Lowe Show

The Ringer

Basketball, Sports

4.8 • 2K Ratings

🗓️ 28 April 2026

⏱️ 95 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Zach is joined by Rob Mahoney to discuss what Austin Reaves’s return would mean for the Lakers. Then, they ponder what’s next for the Rockets, if the Nuggets' championship window is coming to an end, and how the Pistons can come back against the Magic. Finally, they break down who has the edge in TOR-CLE and close the show by sharing two winners and two losers of the postseason so far. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (2:21) Rob Mahoney joins the show! (7:04) Austin Reaves optimistic to return for Game 5 (10:42) If the Rockets lose, what does their future look like? (18:20) Cooper Flagg wins Rookie of the Year (20:29) Lottery reform gaining momentum (27:05) Would it feel hollow if Denver wins this series? (32:17) Is Denver’s window shut? (43:10) Final thoughts on MIN-DEN (48:10) Magic have Detroit on the brink (58:51) Toronto-Cleveland is tied at 2 (1:09:25) If the Cavs lose, it would be more disappointing than the Pistons losing (1:11:47) What’s next for the Phoenix Suns (1:20:33) Two winners and losers of the postseason so far Host: Zach Lowe Guest: Rob Mahoney Producers: Mike Wargon, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil Social: Keith Fujimoto and Michael Szokoli Order and it will come. Like today. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Coming up on the Zach Lowe show, we are past the halfway point of the NBA's first round.
0:11.3	One series is over.
0:12.4	The thunder had swept the suns.
0:14.1	We'll talk a little bit about that and the sun's future.
0:16.7	But lots still pending.
0:18.5	Austin Reeves is coming back reportedly maybe for the Lakers in game five. Rob Mahoney and I will talk about that series, what that return means. Can the Rockets actually pull this off? Denver stayed alive last night with a home win against the injury ravaged. Minnesota Timberwolves, the Nuggets are injury ravaged too. I can't take any more injuries. Nas Reid sprained his ankle, but he came back in the game. I need Nas Reid to be healthy. We'll talk about what adjustments might come in that series. Can Minnesota hold on and squeak out one more win without Anthony Edwards and without Dante Divenzo? Would a Denver wind feel hollow? What does Denver's future look like? We get into all of that. Orlando, Detroit. What a slugfest, literally blood on multiple players at the end of the game.
0:58.1	Jamal! What does Denver's future look like? We get into all of that. Orlando Detroit.
0:55.0	What a slug fest.
0:57.8	Literally blood on multiple players at the end of the game.
0:58.9	Jamal Kane.
1:02.1	Jamal Kane ended Jalen Duren.
1:03.1	It happened.
1:04.0	I couldn't believe it.
1:05.4	And then he had another putback dunk.
1:07.0	Detroit is on the brink. What would a loss in the first round mean for their franchise going forward in terms of
1:11.6	decision making? Can they get back into the series? We'll talk a little bit about that.
1:15.9	Toronto Cleveland, 2-2. Uh-oh. It's getting sticky for the calves. That series resumes tomorrow,
1:21.6	Wednesday. We'll talk a little bit about that. And then some winners and losers of the offseason.
1:26.2	We'll talk about some trade possibilities,
1:28.4	lottery reform, lots and lots of stuff. We're getting into everything with Rob Mahoney coming up.
1:35.8	The Zach Lowe Show is brought to you by Fanduel. The NBA postseason is here, and Fandle
1:41.6	knows the only thing better than watching your favorite team win is winning along with them. Fanduel is the best place to bet the teams, players, and plays during their playoff run. Build a same game parley or try live betting and jump in after tip-off. And don't forget, with Fanduel, you get paid instantly when you win. Download the Fandual Sportsbook app now and play your game. 20 or over in select states, 18 and over in D.C. Kentucky, Wyoming, gambling problem.
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