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
Apr 2, 2026 • 26min
MVP Deep Dive + Steph Curry’s Return
Sam Amick, veteran NBA reporter known for deep analysis, joins to break down the MVP chase and Curry’s comeback. They talk Wembanyama’s surge, Shai and Luka’s pushes, and why defense matters for awards. They also cover Curry’s return timeline and how it reshapes the Warriors.
4 snips
Apr 1, 2026 • 52min
NBA Mailbag | Morning Shoot Around
Listeners send questions about seeding races and which late-season games matter. They debate Nuggets and Thunder schedules shaping the West. Conversations cover Knicks roster and coaching concerns, Derrick White's All-NBA case, and supermax contract implications. The show also touches on tanking reform, tech in officiating, Clippers cap probes, and favorite basketball documentaries.
Apr 1, 2026 • 25min
What is wrong with the Knicks?
James Edwards, NBA reporter and columnist, breaks down the Knicks' slump and roster issues in concise, sharp analysis. He examines why the starting five underperforms and how lineup fit clashes with the system. Conversation covers Karl-Anthony Towns' offensive struggles and whether a late-season lineup shift could help.
11 snips
Mar 31, 2026 • 27min
Shai vs. Wemby for MVP?
Tony Jones, veteran NBA reporter who covers the 76ers, talks Philly's loss to Miami and Joel Embiid's limited mobility post-injury. He breaks down how Miami's pace exposed fatigue, Philly's half-court struggles and late-game choices. Conversation also covers Paul George's rotation, playoff seeding urgency, and why the Knicks might be a preferable matchup for Philadelphia.
Mar 30, 2026 • 28min
Thunder drop Knicks + Are the Magic broken?
They break down OKC’s win over New York and how Jalen Williams’ return changed the Thunder’s rhythm. Karl-Anthony Towns’ offensive issues and matchup problems get a close look. Orlando’s shocking 31-0 collapse to Toronto is called out. Jayson Tatum’s first big scoring night back and how he fits with Boston’s system are debated. The scramble for the East’s 5th through 7th seeds is analyzed.
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.
