What Rob Mahoney has said about 2026 NBA playoffs
2 quotes · 1 episode · May 1, 2026
Rob Mahoney, The Ringer NBA writer and co-host of The Ringer NBA Show, has been quoted on 2026 NBA playoffs 2 times in 1 episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, most recently on May 1, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.
In their words
Mahoney argued regular-season lessons still matter but are subtler and harder to detect than in the past.
“I just think the lessons of the regular season... require more and more of a magnifying glass to find”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Joker’s Out, and Boston Might Be Next. Plus, an MLB Cocktail Party and 'Survivor 50' With Rob Mahoney, Billy Gil, and Jason Concepcion. (May 1, 2026) · Listen from 48:00
- Came true
Mahoney predicted the Lakers would beat the Rockets, citing distrust of Houston's execution.
“I do think the Lakers will win. I think it will be ugly”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Joker’s Out, and Boston Might Be Next. Plus, an MLB Cocktail Party and 'Survivor 50' With Rob Mahoney, Billy Gil, and Jason Concepcion. (May 1, 2026) · Listen from 59:47
Predictions
- Came true
Mahoney predicted the Lakers would beat the Rockets, citing distrust of Houston's execution.
“I do think the Lakers will win. I think it will be ugly”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Joker’s Out, and Boston Might Be Next. Plus, an MLB Cocktail Party and 'Survivor 50' With Rob Mahoney, Billy Gil, and Jason Concepcion. (May 1, 2026) · Listen from 59:47 · 2026 NBA playoffs
The Lakers beat the Rockets 98-78 in Game 6 in Houston on May 1, 2026, winning the Western Conference first-round series 4-2 before the May 3 deadline. They did it without Luka Doncic, who missed the whole series.
Sources: Lakers 98-78 Rockets (May 1, 2026) Game Recap - ESPN · Lakers advance to second round, defeat Rockets in six games - Yahoo Sports · 2025–26 Houston Rockets season - Wikipedia · 2026 NBA Playoffs | First Round: Lakers vs. Rockets
Checked Sep 30, 2026
Episodes
Joker’s Out, and Boston Might Be Next. Plus, an MLB Cocktail Party and 'Survivor 50' With Rob Mahoney, Billy Gil, and Jason Concepcion.The Bill Simmons Podcast · May 1, 2026 · 2 h 17 min
Bill Simmons recaps a wild NBA playoff night with Rob Mahoney, runs through MLB's early storylines with Billy Gil, and dissects 'Survivor 50' with Jason Concepcion.
Others on 2026 NBA playoffs
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- Mike Breen · 1 quote
- Ben Soffer · 1 quote
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