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We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!

First, Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones salute the amazing career of Russell Westbrook, one of the greatest players of all-time. From there, the guys cap off schedule release week by sharing the five games they're most excited to watch this year, then briefly discuss Bradley Beal's return to the Clippers.

On the WNBA side, the guys do a deep dive into this year's talented Most Improved Player race. From All-Stars like Marina Mabrey and Jessica Shepard, to impactful year-five leaps like Shakira Austin and NaLyssa Smith, to expansion candidates like Carla Leite and Nyara Sabally. We had fun looking into a bunch of different cases.

If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com

1:05 -- Salute to Russell Westbrook

17:10 -- Steve's most exciting games

23:11 -- Nekias' most exciting games

39:30 -- Bradley Beal re-signs with the Clippers

46:14 -- WNBA Most Improved deep dive

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Kevin O'Connor reacts to the 2026-27 NBA schedule! KOC shares his favorite homecomings like Trae Young’s return to Atlanta and LeBron James taking the court in Los Angeles on Christmas Day, along with primetime rookie battles you can't miss. Plus, how will the new relegation zone impact competitiveness in the later stages of the season?

Later, KOC continues his 'Entertainment Rankings' with the Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors.

(0:16) Player homecomings

(4:00) Playoff rematches

(5:44) Relegation zone drama

(8:14) Back-to-back games

(10:14) Big 4 rookie matchups

(13:24) Other notable games

(16:33) Entertainment rankings: Clippers

(19:57) Entertainment rankings: Warriors

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv
🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Kevin O’Connor and Trey Kirby react to the breaking news of Russell Westbrook’s retirement from the NBA after 18 seasons.

Later, KOC and Yaron Weitzman break down the bombshell sale of the Los Angeles Lakers to Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner. The pair unpacks the federal investigation surrounding Mark Walter's finances, speculates on what this means for Rob Pelinka’s future and more.

(0:24) Russell Westbrook retires

(7:36) Lakers sold for $12 billion

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv
🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!

First, the opening week and Christmas Day slates have been released! Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones analyze each of the matchups, then talk through potential snubs from the primetime matchups.

On the WNBA side, the guys salute the recent winning of the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx and rising-up-the-rank Washington Mystics! From there, they check in on a crowded race in the 4-through-8 seeds, with a bit of a check-in on the Dallas Wings as teams have worked to adjust to them.

If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com

1:10 -- Opening Day

10:20 -- ESPN Wednesday double-header

16:20 -- ESPN Thursday double-header

24:20 -- Amazon Prime double-header

34:50 -- Christmas Day slate

50:06 -- Minnesota Lynx

01:05:13 -- Washington Mystics

01:19:05 -- Identity Check for 4-8

01:23:20 -- How concerned should we be about the Wings?

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv
🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Kevin O'Connor continues his NBA 'Entertainment Rankings' by breaking down the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans. Will Devin Booker bounce back to true superstar form? Can Derik Queen improve his defense?

KOC also comments on Ben Simmons' apparent attempt at a comeback, the T-Wolves trip to Paris, Don Nelson’s legacy and the Warriors’ “gap year.”

(0:30) Entertainment rankings: Suns

(7:52) Entertainment rankings: Pelicans

(15:52) Could Ben Simmons return?

(17:10) Timberwolves in France

(18:18) NBA legend, Don Nelson, died Sunday

(20:15) Warriors 'gap year'

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv
🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!