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

How did the Wolves beat the Lakers?

Rudy Gobert had 27 points and 24 rebounds to lift the Minnesota Timberwolves to a series clinching win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni are joined by Anthony Slater to breakdown the Houston Rockets big win and how the Warriors bounce back in game 6. Then, Dave and Es discuss Gobert’s huge game, the Lakers biggest concerns going into the offseason, and who the Wolves should want to face next. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni & Anthony Slater Executive Producer: Andrew S...

May 01, 2025•33 min

Haliburton’s game winner finishes Bucks + Is Playoff Jamal Murray back?

Tyrese Haliburton blew by Giannis Antetokounmpo for the game winning and series clinching lay-up as the Pacers sent the Bucks home for the summer. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita discuss the Pacers overtime win, the postgame fracas, and how the Pistons handled the Knicks. Then, the Athletic’s Law Murray joins the show to react to the Nuggets game 5 win over the Clippers, Jamal Murray’s shotmaking, and respecting Russell Westbrook. Host: Dave DuFour With: Zena Keita & Law Murray Executive Producer: An...

Apr 30, 2025•37 min

Cavs more dominant than Thunder? + Playoff Jimmy saves Warriors

Jimmy Butler returned from injury to lead the Warriors to a game 4 victory and a 3-1 series lead over the Rockets. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni are joined by the Athletic’s Anthony Slater to discuss the Warriors win, Jimmy Butler’s game, and the aftermath. Then, Es and Dave take a look at the first round sweeps for the Thunder and Cavs to decide who has been most dominant and look ahead to Clippers and Nuggets game 5. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni & Anthony Slater Executive Producer: Andrew...

Apr 29, 2025•31 min

Did the Pistons get robbed? + Crazy NBA Playoff Weekend

Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns combined for 59 points to lead the Knicks to a game four win over the Detroit Pistons, aided by a missed foul call on Tim Hardaway Jr. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to the weekend’s wild finishes between the Clippers and Nuggets, the Knicks and Pistons, and the Wolves and Lakers. Then, they take a look at the 3-1 series and ask, “Is it over?” Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody https://www....

Apr 28, 2025•32 min

Kawhi the best in the NBA? + The Pistons are here | Slam N Jam

Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers are joined by Law Murray of the Athletic to discuss the dominance of the Clippers, their series with Denver, what is going on with the Nuggets, and Kawhi at the top of his game. Then the guys revisit the Contender Draft one week later to see if anything has changed. After the break Kofie of the KofieWhy YouTube page joins to discuss his beloved Pistons, their first Playoff run, how they are different than last year and much more. Then the boys play a fun edition o...

Apr 26, 2025•1 hr 7 min

Thunder Make History + Knicks and Clippers Go Up

The Thunder make history in their 29 point comeback against the Grizzlies as Ja Morant goes down. Zena Keita is joined by Andrew Schlecht to break down OKC’s win in Memphis to go up 3-0 and what it means for Memphis with the injury to Ja Morant. Then in segment 2 Zena is joined by Hunter Patterson to discuss the strange ending other the Knicks/Pistons game and what it was like to be in the building for the first Pistons home Playoff game since 2019. Then finally Dave DuFour joins from Intuit Dom...

Apr 25, 2025•35 min

Are the NBA playoffs too physical? + Rockets even series with Warriors

Jalen Green scored 38 points in a bounce-back performance to lead the Rockets to a win in game 2 against the Warriors. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to Jimmy Butler’s injury, the Cavs and Celtics wins, and the physicality of the NBA playoffs. Then, the Athletic’s Kelly Iko joins the show to discuss the Rockets win and Jalen Green’s huge performance. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni & Kelly Iko Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody https://www.nytimes.com/athlet...

Apr 24, 2025•28 min

Luka and the Lakers get physical | Are the Bucks finished?

Luka Doncic and LeBron James combined for 52 points to help the Los Angeles Lakers tie their first-round series with the Minnesota Timberwolves at one game a piece. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita react to the dominant performance from the Thunder through the first two games of the playoffs before being joined by the Athletic’s Shakeia Taylor to breakdown the aftermath of the Pacers pushing to a 2-0 series lead over the Milwaukee Bucks. Then, the Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski and the crew discuss the Wo...

Apr 23, 2025•32 min