The Athletic NBA Daily

Start your day with The Athletic NBA Daily – a fast, entertaining recap of the most important games and stories from the world of professional basketball with new episodes dropping Monday through Friday. Hosted by Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Esfandiar Baraheni with regular appearances by The Athletic’s award-winning NBA reporters. Andrew Schlecht and Alex Spears cap the week with the full-length Saturday Slam n’ Jam episode.

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Episodes

Contender Draft + Playoff Preview | Slam N Jam

Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers discuss the week of headlines in the NBA, and an update on the surprise teams and post All Star Break Leap players. Then they are joined by Dan Devine of Yahoo! Sports to discuss the NBA Playoffs, matchups they like, and then the guys do a contender draft taking the teams they think are most likely to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy at the end of the season.Then the boys play a fun edition of Andrew vs. the Beat, a trivia game where Andrew is pitted against a beat ...

Apr 19, 2025•1 hr 17 min

Wolves over Lakers? + The Jokic Bump

Nikola Jokic is the best player in the NBA and we have our national writer at the Athletic Fred Katz to discuss some nuances in his approach and game. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita discuss Fred’s article on Nikola Jokic and what other players in the NBA are saying about his game. In part 2 Fred sticks around and the crew discusses their favorite Playoff matchups including Nuggets/Clippers, Wolves/Lakers and the return of Damian Lillard. Host: Dave DuFour With: Zena Keita and Fred Katz Executive Pro...

Apr 18, 2025•36 min

Better future: Kings or Bulls? + Mavs move on

Klay Thompson and Anthony Davis combined for 50 points as the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Sacramento Kings to move on in the Play-in tournament. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to the Miami Heat win, Tyler Herro’s development, and debate the futures of the Kings and Bulls. Then, the Athletic’s Christian Clark joins the show to breakdown the Mavs winning formula, how they stack up against the Grizzlies, and Nico Harrison’s closed-door press conference. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni & Ma...

Apr 17, 2025•30 min

Gritty Warriors win play-in + Orlando moves on

Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry combined for 71 points as the Golden State Warriors defeated the Memphis Grizzlies to clinch the seventh seed in the Western Conference. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to the Grizzlies gritty loss, Desmond Bane’s incredible game, and the Magic defeating the Hawks. Then, the Athletic’s Marcus Thompson joins the show from Chase Center to discuss Playoff Jimmy Butler, the Warriors game plan, and the looming Houston Rockets. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni & Mar...

Apr 16, 2025•31 min

Warriors, Grizzlies deep dive + Play-in Preview

Dave DuFour and Zena Keita breakdown the NBA play-in and playoff brackets and discuss the most compelling series. Then, the Athletic’s Anthony Slater joins the show to breakdown the Warriors and Grizzlies play-in matchup, Jonathan Kuminga’s status, and Playoff Jimmy Butler. Host: Dave DuFour With: Zena Keita & Anthony Slater Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 15, 2025•32 min

Clippers clinch playoffs; Warriors to play-in + NBA Regular Season Finale

Kawhi Leonard and James Harden combined for 72 points as the Clippers defeated Steph Curry and the Warriors to clinch a playoff spot. Dave DuFour, Es Baraheni and Zena Keita discuss the Clippers big win, Jonathan Kuminga’s benching, and the Warriors issues. Then, the gang recaps the final day of the regular season, discusses Chris Paul’s future, and the big takeaways from the year. Host: Dave DuFour With: Zena Keita, Es Baraheni, Law Murray Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Gra...

Apr 14, 2025•31 min

NBA Awards "The Slammies" + The Blazers Future | Slam N Jam

Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers discuss the week of NBA Basketball and bring back the Slammies, the made up NBA Awards we've done the last 4 seasons. Then they are joined by Mike Richman of Locked on Blazers to discuss the Portland Trailblazers and their fun unexpected season, Scoot Henderson's potential, the lottery and much more. Then the boys play a fun edition of Andrew vs. the Beat, a trivia game where Andrew is pitted against a beat writer. Host: Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers With: Mike ...

Apr 12, 2025•2 hr 35 min

Anthony Edwards’ big game + All NBA Defensive Perimeter Teams

Anthony Edwards scored 44 points to lead the Timberwolves to an important win over the Grizzlies. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita discuss the Wolves big win, the problem with the Grizzlies’ bigs, and who the Bucks should want to face in the playoffs. Then, the Athletic’s Fred Katz joins the show to discuss his perimeter defense teams, what makes a good defender, and the Thunder defense. Host: Dave DuFour With: Zena Keita & Fred Katz Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Le...

Apr 11, 2025•32 min

Luka’s emotional return to Dallas

Luka Doncic scored 45 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a win in his first game back in Dallas. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni talk discuss Luka’s big game, Lakers small ball, the Warriors buzzer-beater loss to the Spurs, and the Nuggets first post-Malone game. Then, Christian Clark from the Athletic joins the show to discuss Luka’s return, the emotions in the building, and those “Fire Nico” chants. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni & Christian Clark Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Aud...

Apr 10, 2025•30 min

Michael Malone out in Denver + Thunder get revenge on Lakers

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 42 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni talk to Andrew Schlecht postgame to discuss the Thunder win, Shai’s big game, and Luka Doncic’s ejection. Then, Adam Mares from DNVR joins the show to discuss Michael Malone’s firing, Jamal Murray’s health, and what comes next for the post-Malone Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokić. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni, Andrew Schlecht, & Adam Mares Executive Pr...

Apr 09, 2025•30 min

Western Conference playoff race + Most Improved Player award

With 6 days remaining the NBA regular season, the 2 through 8 seeds are all still up for grabs. Dave DuFour and RealGM’s Wes Goldberg breakdown the western conference playoff seeding race, discuss the field, and why the Clippers need to avoid the play-in. Then, Dave and Wes breakdown the defensive player of the year race, discuss Amen Thompson’s case, and why Tyler Herro should win most improved. Host: Dave DuFour With: Wes Goldberg Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moo...

Apr 08, 2025•28 min

Why the Lakers are a nightmare for the Thunder + MVPs in purgatory

Luka Doncic scored 30 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 27-point blowout win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Dave DuFour and RealGM’s John Wilmes breakdown the Lakers win, discuss JJ Redick’s coaching, and the OKC’s nightmare scenario. Then, Dave and John discuss the MVP level performances from Nikola Jokić and Giannis Antetokounmpo and what it means if they fail in the playoffs. Host: Dave DuFour With: John Wilmes Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Learn ...

Apr 07, 2025•29 min