The Athletic NBA Daily
The Athletic
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
Mentioned books
Mar 28, 2026 • 1h 21min
Are the Pistons a Contender? + East Play In Mania | Slam N Jam
Bryce Simon, basketball reporter and podcaster who covers the Detroit Pistons and the NBA draft, drops in to discuss Detroit’s outlook without Cade Cunningham. They dig into Jalen Duren’s offensive leap, spacing and three-point concerns, Kevin Huerter’s fit, and which first- and second-round matchups worry the Pistons most. Plus a lively Pistons trivia showdown for fun.
Mar 27, 2026 • 44min
NBA All-Surprise Team w/ Fred Katz
Fred Katz, NBA reporter known for deep team and player analysis, joins to break down tight playoff matchups and why West seeds 4-6 could shift the bracket. He unveils his All-Surprise Team and highlights Jalen Duren's defensive leap. Conversations also cover Boston vs. New York dynamics and surprising breakout role players.
6 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 28min
Celtics bully Thunder + Wolves shock Rockets
Jay King, The Athletic reporter who covers the Boston Celtics, joins to break down Boston's dominant win over Oklahoma City. He highlights Jayson Tatum's second-quarter takeover and the team's use of small-ball with Tatum at the five. They debate roster depth, playoff inexperience, and Jaylen Brown's rising MVP chatter.
4 snips
Mar 25, 2026 • 56min
The NBA Contender Pie | Morning Shoot Around
Two hosts break down a playful 'contender pie' to assign title odds across the league. They debate East stability and a deeper, chaotic West. Conversations jump from Celtics and Cavs to Spurs, Thunder and Nuggets. There's lightfood banter, longshot calls and vivid trophy-imagining to set the vibe.
Mar 25, 2026 • 30min
Nobody likes the 65-game rule
Carter Rodriguez, podcaster and Chasedown host, breaks down the Cavaliers' late-season surge and how James Harden has reshaped their offense. He discusses Donovan Mitchell’s playoff matchup risks, Evan Mobley’s role questions, and which role players must step up in postseason rotations. Short, sharp takes on roster pressure and win-now expectations.
11 snips
Mar 24, 2026 • 27min
J Dub returns for OKC + Are the Lakers title contenders?
Dan Woike, NBA reporter known for Lakers coverage, breaks down L.A.’s post-break turnaround and evolving roles. He discusses LeBron taking a playmaking third-option spot and the team’s improved chemistry. He also evaluates Luka Doncic’s MVP case and how his all-around play stacks up in a tight race.
6 snips
Mar 23, 2026 • 28min
KD passes MJ + Post All-Star Glow-ups
They react to Kevin Durant climbing the all-time scoring list and discuss his chase for Kareem. Oklahoma City’s health and Jalen Williams’ return get attention. The Nuggets’ role-player comebacks and Spurs’ surprise rise are covered. Lakers’ nine-game streak, Luka’s late-season surge, Atlanta’s post-break transformation, and Boston’s dominance with Jayson Tatum are highlighted.
20 snips
Mar 21, 2026 • 1h 3min
Nuggets Toast? + Which Tanking Team Deserves the first pick? | Slam N Jam
Stephen Pridgeon-Garner, PHNX analyst and Suns reporter, breaks down Phoenix's late-game hiccups and how Jalen Green is being integrated. He explains matchup advantages against the Spurs, highlights young players' development, and outlines offseason roster needs. Short, sharp takes on execution, spacing, and who the Suns should try to keep.
Mar 20, 2026 • 29min
March Madness, Cade Cunningham out + Boston winning the East?
Brian Geissinger, NBA reporter and Buzzbeat Charlotte Hornets podcaster, breaks down Charlotte’s blowout win and their perimeter shooting. He reacts to March Madness upsets and Cade Cunningham’s season-ending injury. He also debates the East’s top teams and explains why Boston looks like the one to beat.
13 snips
Mar 19, 2026 • 29min
Luka magic for the Lakers, again
Will Guillory, an NBA reporter covering the Rockets and Pelicans for The Athletic, brings insider perspective. He breaks down Luka and LeBron's late-game takeover. He dissects Houston's recurring fourth-quarter execution problems and Alperen Şengün's impact on spacing. He also discusses Western Conference dynamics, from the Spurs' rise to the Thunder and Nuggets' standing.
