The Athletic NBA Daily - podcast cover

The Athletic NBA Daily

The Athletictheathletic.com
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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

Oklahoma City Thunder win 2025 NBA Finals

Dave DuFour, Es Baraheni, and Zena Keita give their instant reaction to the Thunder winning the NBA title. Then, Andrew Schlecht joins the gang live from OKC behind the scenes as the Thunder celebrate their win. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni, Zena Keita, & Andrew Schlecht Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 23, 202535 min

Kevin Durant traded to Rockets *Emergency Pod*

Kevin Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets and the Athletic NBA Daily gang is here to break it down. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 22, 202525 min

NBA Finals Game 7 Preview with Caitlin Cooper and Sam Amick | Slam N Jam

Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers are joined by Sam Amick to discuss the NBA Finals, Haliburton’s injury, the Lakers sale, KD trades and much more. In part 2 Caitlin Cooper of Basketball She Wrote joins to discuss Game 7, potential adjustments, and more. Then they play a fun edition of Andrew vs the Beat. Host: Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers With: Sam Amick and Caitlin Cooper Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio/Video Editor: Gonzalo Torres Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf...

Jun 21, 20251 hr

Pacers force game 7 in NBA Finals

Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni give their reaction to the Pacers’ game 6 win and Tyrese Haliburton’s performance. Then, the Athletic’s Shakeia Taylor joins the gang to breakdown the scene in Indianapolis and to look ahead to game 7. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni & Shakeia Taylor Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 20, 202530 min

What next for the Grizzlies?

Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni discuss the latest on Tyrese Haliburton's injury and are joined by Keith Parish to discuss how the Grizzlies are going to move forward after trading Desmond Bane. Can the Grizzlies find a way to be competitive next season, or are they going to be at the bottom of the West? Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni and Keith Parish Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jun 19, 202525 min

Haliburton Injured + KD Destinations

Dave DuFour and Zena Keita are joined by Sam Amick to discuss Tyrese Haliburton’s calf injury, how it affects the Pacers, and if he will try to play in Game 6 against OKC. After a quick break, they discuss the Desmond Bane to Orlando trade, Kevin Durant destinations, and more on the upcoming busy offseason. Host: Dave DuFour With: Zena Keita and Sam Amick Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jun 18, 202524 min

Jalen Williams drops 40, Thunder take 3-2 Finals lead

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams combined for 71 points as the Thunder take game five from the Pacers and put themselves one win away from a title. Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Es Baraheni give their reaction to the Thunder win, J Dub’s breakout performance, and debate whether the series is over. Then, Andrew Schlecht joins the gang postgame to talk about the OKC crowd and the dominant Thunder defense. Host: Dave DuFour With: Zena Keita, Es Baraheni, & Andrew Schlecht Executive Pro...

Jun 17, 202532 min

NBA Draft Prep with Sam Vecenie | Slam N Jam

Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers are joined by Sam Vecenie of the Athletic to discuss the NBA Draft! They discuss how NIL is affecting the draft and the second round, if the Sixers are going to move their pick, and we discuss a variety of first round prospects and Vecenie's thoughts and opinions on them. Then the boys play a fun edition of Andrew vs. the Beat, a trivia game where Andrew is pitted against Sam. Host: Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers With: Sam Vecenie Executive Producer: Andrew Schle...

Jun 14, 20251 hr 27 min

SGA, Thunder comeback in 4th to stun Pacers

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 of his 35 points in a fourth quarter comeback as the Thunder take game four from the Pacers and tie the NBA Finals at two games a piece. Dave DuFour and Andrew Schlecht give their instant reaction to Shai’s excellence in the fourth quarter and how the Thunder managed their comeback. Then, Samson Folk from “Basketball, She Wrote” and Dave discuss the Pacers successes and their fourth quarter collapse before looking ahead to game five. Host: Dave DuFour With: Andr...

Jun 14, 202526 min

Pacers bench drives game 3 win, Indy takes 2-1 lead

Bennedict Mathurin and T.J. McConnell combined for 37 points off the bench to push the Indiana Pacers to a 116-107 game three win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Dave DuFour, Es Baraheni,and Zena Keita give their instant reaction to the Pacers win, Tyrese Haliburton’s aggressive play, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s fatigue. Then, the gang looks ahead to game four and Zena apologizes to the Pacers. Host: Dave DuFour With: Zena Keita & Es Baraheni Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Produ...

Jun 12, 202527 min

Can the Pacers bounce back in Indy?

The NBA Finals shifts to Indianapolis with the Thunder and Pacers tied at one game a piece. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita are joined by Scott Agness from Fieldhouse Files with an injury update on Tyrese Haliburton, his thoughts on adjustments for game 3, and the atmosphere in Indianapolis. Host: Dave DuFour With: Zena Keita & Scott Agness Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jun 11, 202521 min

Is Caruso the Thunder’s Iguodala?

The Thunder even the series at 1-1 heading back to Indiana for Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Es Baraheni and Marcus Thompson discuss Game 2, whether the Thunder have control of the series now, and if Alex Caruso is the Thunder’s “Andre Iguodala. They then discuss 4 teams that interest them most in the offseason. Host: Es Baraheni With: Marcus Thompson Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jun 10, 202529 min

SGA, Thunder strike back in dominant Game 2 win

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in a game-high 34 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a game 2 win to even the Finals series at 1-1. Zena Keita and Es Baraheni give their instant reaction to the Thunder win and the NBA’s decision to add digital logos to the Finals broadcast. Then, Andrew Schlecht and Dave DuFour report live from OKC with their thoughts on the series so far and what to look for in game 3. Host: Zena Keita With: Es Baraheni, Andrew Schlecht, & Dave DuFour Executive Prod...

Jun 09, 202528 min

Haliburton & Pacers shock Thunder in Game 1

The Indiana Pacers completed another improbable comeback to steal game one of the NBA Finals from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni are live from OKC with their instant reaction to Tyrese Haliburton’s game winner and the Thunder collapse. Then, Anthony Slater joins the show to give his thoughts on the Thunder pregame lineup change and what to look for in game two. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni & Anthony Slater Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Gra...

Jun 06, 202524 min

NBA Finals Mailbag: Morning Shoot Around

Andrew Schlecht, Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni discuss Game 1 of the NBA Finals and answer listener questions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 05, 20251 hr 30 min

NBA Finals Game 1 Preview

The NBA Finals tip-off tonight and Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni are on the ground in Oklahoma City for game one. Rylan Stiles, host of Locked On Thunder, joins the show to discuss the importance of the Thunder to the OKC community, how Sam Presti built the team, and what the Pacers need to do to win. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni & Rylan Stiles Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jun 05, 202522 min

Knicks fire Tom Thibodeau

The New York Knicks have fired head coach Tom Thibodeau. Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and James Edwards discuss the Knicks surprising move and who they may hire to replace Thibs. Then, Fred Katz joins the show to discuss the Pacers offense vs. the Thunder defense and how the Pacers pull off an upset. Host: Dave DuFour With: Zena Keita, James Edwards, & Fred Katz Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jun 04, 202529 min

Is SGA having one of the best seasons ever?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a league high 68 wins, captured a scoring title and was named MVP. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni debate whether SGA is having one of the best seasons ever and where it lands if the Thunder win a championship. Then, Mike Vorkunov drops in to breakdown the reasons the NBA isn’t afraid of a small-market Finals and the X-factors for a Pacers win. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jun 03, 202525 min

How to fix the Knicks + NBA Finals preview

Pascal Siakam was named Eastern Conference finals MVP as the Indiana Pacers defeated New York Knicks to clinch a trip to the NBA Finals. Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Es Baraheni react to the Pacers’ win and give their thoughts on what went wrong for the Knicks. Then, the gang looks ahead to the NBA Finals matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Pacers and make their picks. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni & Zena Keita Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson M...

Jun 02, 202526 min

Thunder Finals Appearance + Offseason Primer with Sam Amick | Slam N Jam

Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers are joined by Sam Amick of the Athletic to discuss the Thunder moving on to the NBA Finals, if teams are now scared of them, what’s next for the Timberwolves, and they also touch on the Eastern Conference Finals. Then the guys discuss the upcoming NBA offseason and what could happen with Giannis, Kevin Durant, the Celtics, the Rockets and much more. Then the guys finish with a rousing version of Andrew vs. the Beat where Andrew and Sam go head to head in a trivia ...

May 31, 202558 min

Can the Knicks force game 7?

Jalen Brunson scored 32 points and the Knicks dominated the Pacers to send the Eastern Conference finals back to Indiana. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to the Knicks defensive effort and Tom Thibodeau’s bench mob. The, the Athletic’s Shakeia Taylor joins the show to discuss the Pacers’ lack of energy and how they bounce back in game 6. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni & Shakeia Taylor Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...

May 30, 202522 min

Thunder advance to NBA Finals

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points and was named Western Conference Finals MVP as the Thunder clinch and NBA Finals berth and Western Conference title. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita react to the Thunder continuing their incredible season and react to some SGA stats. Then, Jon Krawczynski joins the show to give his thoughts on the Wolves disappointing performance, lessons for Anthony Edwards, and whether the Thunder have any weakness. Host: Dave DuFour With: Zena Keita & Jon Krawczynski Ex...

May 29, 202520 min

How did we get here? | Morning Shoot Around

Th NBA Daily crew discuss how we got here where OKC and Indiana are up 3-1, parity in the NBA, and much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 28, 20251 hr 16 min

Haliburton triple-double lifts Pacers go up 3-1 on Knicks

Tyrese Haliburton had a historic triple-double with no turnovers to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 3-1 series lead over the Knicks. Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Fred Katz discuss Haliburton’s game, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns’ 4th quarter struggle, and Aaron Nesmith as a “torso competitor”. Host: Dave DuFour With: Zena Keita & Fred Katz Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

May 28, 202523 min

SGA drops 40; Thunder go up 3-1 on Wolves

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jaylen Williams combined for 95 points as the Thunder took a 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference Finals. Dave DuFour, Es Baraheni, and Andrew Schlect react to OKC’s Big Three having a big night and how the Thunder defense flustered Anthony Edwards. Then, Es and Dave discuss the “fouling up three” approach to end of games and whether the NBA should ban it. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni & Andrew Schlecht Executive Producer: Andrew Schlech...

May 27, 202520 min

Did KAT save the Knicks’ season?

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 20 points in the fourth quarter as the Knicks came back from a 20-point deficit to beat the Pacers and Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni give their reaction. They discuss KAT’s slow start and insane finish, how the Knicks may have benefited from foul trouble, and how the Pacers’ offense was stifled. Then, they take a look at the Wolves blowout win over the Thunder and preview Western Conference finals game four. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni Executive Producer: Andrew S...

May 26, 202522 min

Who should the Sixers take in the NBA Draft? + Thunder Rolling | Slam N Jam

Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers are joined by Bryce Simon of the Game Theory Podcast to discuss the NBA Draft and who the Sixers should take 3rd in the draft, which players have the most potential outside the top 3, player comps and much more. In part 2 the crew discusses the Conference Finals and if the Wolves have any answers for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Host: Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers With: Bryce Simon Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio/Video Editor: Gonzalo Torres Hosted on Ac...

May 24, 20251 hr 14 min

Thunder Strike Timberwolves + SGA MVP

The Thunder take the 2-0 lead on the Timberwolves by defeating them 118-103. Es Baraheni is joined by Jon Krawczynski of the Athletic to discuss the struggles of the Wolves and what they can to do turn it around. Then Es is joined by Andrew Schlecht to discuss the Thunder’s dominant win, Shai’s MVP and much more from OKC. Host: Es Baraheni With: Jon Krawczynski and Andrew Schlecht Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in...

May 23, 202524 min
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