The Mismatch

Verno and Jacoby return to react to Monday night’s thrillers in Denver and New York, the Cavs dominance, and preview Tuesday night’s playoff matchups. Plus, they discuss Billy Donovan stepping down as the Bulls head coach.

Welcome to The Mismatch!

(0:45) Knicks game 2 collapse turns Hawks' CJ McCollum into a villain

(21:28) Wolves-Nuggets: Timberwolves steal game 2 in Denver

(32:10) Weekend Play-in finals were terrible

(34:28) Raptors-Cavs: Cleveland handles Toronto in game 2

(42:53) 76ers-Celtics: Sixers' horrendous start, 4-23 from three

(48:53) Blazers-Spurs: Spurs aim to take 2-0 lead on Portland

(53:55) Blazers owner being cheap, no T-shirts and two-ways allowed

(59:56) Rockets-Lakers: Two non-playoff teams in the playoffs

(1:03:31) Magic-Pistons: Detroit faces must-win after game 1 upset

(1:08:37) Breaking News: Billy Donovan steps down as Bulls coach after six seasons

(1:12:01) Jacoby takes on the red carpet of 'The Devil Wears Prada 2'

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.

Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091

Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby

Producers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff Shearin

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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Verno and Jacoby return to react to the opening games of the play-in tournament and preview the final games on Friday. Then, they discuss the things they care about heading into the opening round of the NBA playoffs.

Welcome to The Mismatch!

(0:30) Play-in tournament recap

(2:03) Hornets-Heat: The game was wildly entertaining

(7:06) Magic-76ers: Magic fans would rather watch Hornets-Pistons

(11:29) Warriors-Clippers: Vintage masterpiece by Steph and Green

(24:15) Blazers-Suns: Devin Booker will be front and center vs. the Warriors

(28:48) Things we care about going into the playoffs

(29:09) Things we care about: Wings vs. bigs in the Cavs-Toronto matchup

(32:34) Things we care about: What if the Cavs lose?

(38:11) Things we care about: Last run for this iteration of the Wolves

(43:05) Things we care about: Nuggets must close quick

(47:48) Things we care about: Can the Knicks run with the Hawks?

(49:43) Things we care about: The Knicks' transition defense

(53:28) Things we care about: Mitchell Robinson’s free throw shooting

(1:00:06) Things we care about: Can the Celtics' regular-season success carry into the playoffs?

(1:03:19) Things we care about: Is effort the Moneyball of the NBA?

(1:06:08) Things we care about: Who doesn’t love Tyrese Maxey?

(1:12:29) Things we care about: Small-market energy

(1:16:05) Things we care about: Battle scars

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.

Leave us a message on our Mismatch voicemail line! (323) 389-5091

Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby

Producers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff Shearin

Social: Keith Fujimoto

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby return to react to the final weekend of the NBA regular season, take a look at the 2026 Play-in Tournament, and break down the playoff matchups. Then, they give their biggest surprises and disappointments from the regular season.

Welcome to The Mismatch!

01:45 Previewing the Play-in Tournament

02:28 Heat-Hornets: Heat are a tough out, Hornets are young

8:40 Blazers-Suns: Next round vs. Spurs favors the Trail Blazers

14:47 Magic-76ers: Will this be a revenge game for Philly?

18:35 Warriors-Clippers: Warriors stumbling into matchup

25:12 Knicks-Hawks: Initial thoughts for the matchup

29:06 Rockets-Lakers: Luka has to be available to beat the Rockets

34:18 Wolves-Nuggets: The underdog has been a problem for Denver in the past

39:35 Verno’s Surprises: The Spurs' huge leap from the lottery

43:10 Jacoby’s Surprises: How much better the Celtics were going into the season

46:54 Verno’s Disappointments: How reckless tanking has become in the NBA

48:39 Jacoby’s Disappointments: The NBA turning into a law firm

51:56 Verno’s Surprises: The statistical greatness of Nikola Jokić

57:55 Jacoby’s Surprises: 2025 draft class was really impactful

59:32 Verno’s Disappointments: Doc Rivers and the disaster of the Bucks

1:01:37 Jacoby’s Disappointments: NBC selling us Michael Jordan and not delivering

1:03:45 Verno’s Surprises: The Clippers recovering from their bad start

1:06:07 Jacoby’s Surprises: Clippers sending CP3 into retirement

1:13:34 Jacoby’s Disappointments: Chauncey Billups in a federal indictment

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. (only needed when baked-in FanDuel ad read is in episode)

Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091

Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby

Producers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff Shearin

Social: Keith Fujimoto

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jacoby and Verno fire up their mics immediately after the Knicks defeat the Celtics and discuss how this matchup could be one to look forward to in the playoffs.

(0:17) Welcome to The Mismatch!

(0:48) Josh Hart saves the show with monster 3s in a Knicks win

(5:44) Celtics-Knicks destined to meet again in the playoffs

(12:09) Eastern Conference playoff picture still a mess

(17:21) Loves and Loathes

(19:12) Verno Loves: Cade Cunningham coming back

(23:12) Jacoby Loves: Teams at full strength for the playoffs

(25:10) Verno Loathes: First round of the West playoffs will be a dud

(30:12) Jacoby Loathes: 76ers’ Joel Embiid has surgery for appendicitis

(35:15) Verno Loves: ROY award is back and forth between Flagg and Knueppel

(37:26) Jacoby Loves: 1.4 million 10-game runs by only one player, Nikola Jokić

(41:06) Verno Loathes: “No way in hell they wanna see us” by Dillon Brooks

(47:28) Jacoby Loathes: Giannis incentivized to play because of his shoes

(51:45) Verno Loves: Kings’ Doug Christie making a tactical error instead of tanking

(57:18) Jacoby Loves: Carter Bryant guarding the big men

(1:00:21) Verno Loathes: AD upset for not getting a Pelicans tribute video

(1:03:53) Jacoby Loathes: That he loves Verno’s Masters updates

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.

Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091

Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby

Producers: Brian H.  Waters and Jeff Shearin

Social: Keith Fujimoto

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby return to react to last night’s matchups, including the Knicks-Hawks matchup, Victor Wembanyama’s injury, and Cooper Flagg’s legendary weekend.

Welcome to The Mismatch!

(0:34) Grizzlies tie NBA record with 29 3-pointers and still lose

(3:04) Michigan Wolverines win second national title in program history

(9:52) Knicks-Hawks: Jalen Brunson clutch in the 4th quarter

(13:59) 76ers-Spurs: Wemby leaves game with a rib contusion

(16:02) Raptors in a tight battle for the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference

(24:13) Jokic-Wemby matchup was absolute theater

(26:23) Strahinja Jokic goes viral again for altercation with fan

(31:29) More headlines: Steph’s return, AD Pranks Draymond, Flagg ROY

(39:42) Injury update: Can the Wolves hold it together without Ant? 

(44:38) Injury update: Luka going overseas for injections

(47:29) Bulls fire front office, and Billy Donovan gains power in Chicago

(51:59) NBA not the place for the “my way or the highway coaches”

(59:15) Huge week ahead of games will set the playoff stage

(1:01:40) Verno teases his Masters Weekend Updates

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.

Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091

Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby

Producers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff Shearin

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices