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

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

by The Ringer

2h 0m•April 27, 2026
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Overview of The Bill Simmons Podcast with Zach Lowe

Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe broke down a packed NBA playoff weekend, with the conversation ranging from the Rockets’ Game 4 win over the Lakers and the Celtics’ response against the Sixers to the Spurs’ terrifying second-half run, the Cavs’ problems against Toronto, and the Timberwolves’ increasingly ominous matchup with Denver. The episode spent a lot of time on playoff stress tests: which teams are revealing real strengths, which stars are shifting the title conversation, and which rosters are exposing their own flaws under pressure.

Biggest NBA Takeaways

Houston vs. Lakers: the Rockets found real counters

  • Houston’s win wasn’t just effort; Simmons and Lowe saw actual strategy showing up.
  • The Rockets made the Lakers work harder defensively, especially by:
    • forcing action involving weaker defenders
    • hunting mismatches more aggressively
    • creating turnovers with their best defensive lineups
  • Even so, there was skepticism that Houston can realistically win three more without Kevin Durant if he’s unavailable or compromised.
  • Simmons floated the idea that the Rockets’ season may already be setting up a big offseason decision around Durant.

Celtics vs. Sixers: Embiid’s return complicated Philly

  • Joel Embiid’s return was treated as both understandable and potentially disruptive.
  • Lowe’s view: Embiid looked decent physically, but his presence slowed and complicated Philadelphia’s offense and defense.
  • Boston’s offense looked excellent once again, especially when:
    • Jayson Tatum was playmaking
    • Jaylen Brown attacked decisively
    • Payton Pritchard provided another huge bench spark
  • The Celtics’ overall read: very likely the better team, and still the clear favorite to win the series.

Spurs vs. Blazers: the Wemby effect is terrifying

  • Victor Wembanyama’s second-half defensive takeover was described as “jaw-dropping.”
  • The Spurs’ ability to completely change a game with defense was compared to the kind of gear only Oklahoma City can usually access.
  • De’Aaron Fox reminded everyone he’s still an elite offensive engine.
  • Rookie guards Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper were praised for playing with real playoff toughness and maturity.

Cavs vs. Raptors: Toronto exposed Cleveland’s fragility

  • Toronto’s physicality and defense made Cleveland uncomfortable all game.
  • The Raptors’ role players and bigs helped create a game where Cleveland’s offense looked disjointed.
  • The big concern for the Cavs:
    • Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland still feel like separate end-of-game worlds
    • Evan Mobley still hasn’t fully become the aggressive “take over” guy many expected
    • Jarrett Allen and Mobley together can create spacing and identity questions
  • Lowe and Simmons both sounded more impressed by Toronto’s competitive edge than by Cleveland’s stability.

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets: Minnesota may be breaking Denver

  • This was the most intense segment of the podcast.
  • Minnesota was praised for:
    • taking Nikola Jokic out of rhythm
    • speeding Denver up
    • defending at an elite level
    • surviving injuries to key players like Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo
  • Jokic’s series was framed as unusually rough by his standards:
    • fewer dominant post touches
    • less control over pace
    • more turnovers and rushed decisions
  • Minnesota’s defensive scheme, especially Rudy Gobert’s impact, has clearly bothered Denver.
  • Simmons raised the possibility that Denver’s title window may be closing faster than expected if this core can’t get through the West again.

Knicks vs. Hawks: New York still has control, but the offense is messy

  • The Knicks’ win was more comfortable than the previous two games.
  • Atlanta looked flat and wasteful, especially from three.
  • The Knicks’ transition game and physicality were major difference-makers.
  • Simmons and Lowe still don’t fully trust New York’s half-court offense.
  • They agreed game 5 could be the series’ swing point if Atlanta can finally get hot and make it ugly.

Star Power, Legacy, and the NBA Hierarchy

Kevin Durant’s career remains one of the toughest to evaluate

  • Lowe and Simmons spent a long stretch debating Durant’s all-time placement.
  • Key points:
    • incredible OKC years
    • two Finals MVPs with Golden State
    • one of the best pure scorers ever
    • but also a decade of postseason disappointment and injury weirdness
  • Simmons argued people forget how dominant Durant was in his prime.
  • Both hosts agreed the last few years have complicated the story and lowered his standing a bit.
  • They also joked about impossible superteam ideas, including a fantasy Warriors reunion with LeBron, Curry, Durant, and Klay.

Jokic vs. SGA, and the shifting MVP belt

  • Simmons said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been the best player since Jokic’s injury earlier this season.
  • The discussion framed Jokic’s current struggles as the kind of moment where another star can officially take the throne.
  • That said, both hosts still treated Jokic as an all-time great whose postseason failures are usually team-related rather than a referendum on his greatness.

Tim Duncan and the disappearing memory of greatness

  • A listener question prompted a love letter to Tim Duncan.
  • Simmons and Lowe argued people forget how great Duncan was because he made dominance look boring and easy.
  • Duncan was held up as the model of a superstar who valued winning and teamwork over personal branding.

Players and Contract Watch

Payton Pritchard keeps getting better

  • Pritchard’s value came up multiple times.
  • Lowe called him one of the league’s best value contracts.
  • Simmons noted his weird career arc:
    • buried early
    • frustrated
    • then suddenly a major playoff piece
  • Both believed Boston may need to rework his deal soon.

Scottie Barnes looks more and more like a true centerpiece

  • Lowe thinks Barnes has developed into a legitimate franchise-level player, even if the exact offensive ceiling is still being defined.
  • His competitiveness and defensive versatility were repeatedly praised.
  • The big question: can he become the No. 1 offensive engine on a title-level team?

Donovan Mitchell’s playoff résumé is strong, but the results remain uneven

  • The podcast went through Mitchell’s long playoff history and noted that, despite a lot of excellent individual performances, his teams have repeatedly stumbled in big moments.
  • Simmons and Lowe agreed he’s largely been unimpeachable as a scorer, but the postseason outcomes keep raising questions.

Final Thoughts and What to Watch Next

  • The most important series moving forward:
    • Nuggets-Timberwolves for Jokic legacy and Denver’s future
    • Knicks-Hawks because New York still looks vulnerable enough for Atlanta to make a push
    • Celtics-Sixers because Embiid’s health and Boston’s firepower may decide the East early
  • More broadly, the episode’s theme was simple: the playoffs are exposing which teams have real structure, real toughness, and real star power — and which teams are running out of answers.