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
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.
8 snips
Mar 18, 2026 • 57min
NBA EXPANSION DRAFT | Morning Shoot Around
They run a mock NBA expansion draft between Seattle and Las Vegas, picking players and debating immediate contending versus tanking for a superstar. They weigh rules, protections, contract grabs for draft compensation, and realistic expectations for expansion talent. They discuss building backcourts, adding young wings and centers, scouting breakout candidates, and marketing vibe picks to sell hope to fans.
Mar 18, 2026 • 27min
Thunder clinch playoffs + Drafting tanking teams
Recap of the Thunder locking up a playoff spot and a 40-point star performance. Discussion of Minnesota managing without a key scorer and rotation shifts. Breakdown of remaining seeding races and which bubble games matter most. A mock draft-style ranking of tanking teams and which franchises have the clearest path to contention.
Mar 17, 2026 • 31min
Should the NBA expand to Seattle and Las Vegas?
Dan Woike, NBA reporter known for on-the-ground Lakers coverage, breaks down LA's ugly-but-effective win in Houston and roster pivots. Conversation covers the NBA's expansion push toward Seattle and Las Vegas, whether adding teams dilutes talent, and playoff matchup implications for the Lakers. Short, sharp takes on Luka's MVP buzz, LeBron's shifting role, and key role players stepping up.
8 snips
Mar 16, 2026 • 27min
Lakers on the rise + Playoff positioning
A breakdown of a thrilling Lakers overtime win and the defensive changes powering their surge. A look at the Thunder’s decisive rout and Minnesota’s turnover woes. Analysis of shifting Western seeding and why matchups may matter more than rank. Coverage of Atlanta and Orlando’s long win streaks, Toronto’s statement victory, and the tight race for Eastern playoff positioning.
24 snips
Mar 14, 2026 • 1h 4min
The Most and Least Clutch NBA Players + HEAT WEEK | Slam N Jam
Wes Goldberg, Locked on Heat host and RealGM Radio contributor who covers the Miami Heat, shares firsthand reactions to Bam Adebayo’s 83-point night. He breaks down what’s fueling Miami’s winning streak and why role players like Pelle Larsson and Khalil Ware are rising. He also ranks which Eastern teams the Heat should feel confident beating in a playoff matchup.
10 snips
Mar 13, 2026 • 30min
SGA passes Wilt + Adebayo's 83 asterisk?
Sam Amick, veteran NBA reporter and columnist, offers quick takes on Bam Adebayo’s controversial 83-point night and the surrounding optics. He compares historic big games and critiques coaching decisions. The conversation also breaks down the MVP race, weighing SGA, Jokic and Wemby. Sam finishes by naming his pick to reach the Finals.
