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
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.
Mar 12, 2026 • 31min
Is this Kawhi Leonard's best season?
Josh Robbins, an NBA reporter and analyst covering the Orlando Magic, breaks down Orlando’s surge and playoff positioning. He discusses Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane leading the way. He weighs ideal first-round matchups, Orlando’s lineup balance without Franz Wagner, spacing concerns for the playoffs, and Jalen Suggs as a key X-factor.
Mar 11, 2026 • 54min
NBA Dark Horse Rankings | Morning Shoot Around
Panelists debate Bam Adebayo's 83-point game and whether it truly belongs in context. They argue about intentional fouling, tanking and coaching impact on lopsided scoring nights. The group ranks NBA dark horse teams, spotlighting Houston, Miami, Orlando and surprise Eastern candidates. They toss out unlikely names who might next eclipse Bam's mark and recap their dark/medium/light lists.
12 snips
Mar 11, 2026 • 29min
Bam Adebayo scores 83 points, passes Kobe Bryant
Jay King, NBA reporter known for Celtics coverage, breaks down Jalen Brown’s ejection and its effect on rotation. He evaluates Jayson Tatum’s return and Derrick White’s growing role. King also dissects Victor Wembanyama’s dominant breakout and what it means for the Spurs’ ceiling. Short, sharp takes on game flow, roles, and rising stars.
5 snips
Mar 10, 2026 • 23min
Best game of the season: Thunder vs. Nuggets
A breakdown of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s late-game heroics and whether it seals his MVP case. Tense play-by-play of the Thunder’s clutch win and the Nuggets’ chaotic comeback. Debate over foul-drawing and officiating reactions. Spotlight on Jalen Williams, bench contributions, and how injuries shape OKC’s title hopes. Big-picture look at Western Conference threats and matchup implications.
22 snips
Mar 9, 2026 • 28min
Tatum's return + Wemby's ascension
They break down Jayson Tatum’s return and how his reintegration reshapes Boston’s spacing, roles, and two offensive identities. They chart Victor Wembanyama’s rapid rise, defensive gravity, and readiness for playoff physicality. Analysis shifts to Detroit’s losing skid and how opponents exploit their style. They also touch on Denver’s injury news and the Lakers finding wins without LeBron.
7 snips
Mar 7, 2026 • 1h 15min
76ers in Trouble? + Hot Hornets and Westbrook Drama | Slam N Jam
Trill Bro Dude, host of You Know Ball and Sixers superfan, breaks down Philly’s status. He discusses Embiid’s availability, Maxey’s potential as a primary option, rookie Vijay’s growth, roster upgrade priorities, and why fans booed Morey in New Orleans. Quick takes on Hornets’ hot lineup and Westbrook’s media drama round out the chat.
Mar 6, 2026 • 29min
Wemby Destroys The Pistons + West Playoff Race
Hunter Patterson, NBA reporter for The Athletic who covers the Detroit Pistons, breaks down Detroit’s struggles after being dominated by Victor Wembanyama. He discusses how San Antonio’s defense and supporting cast neutralized Cade Cunningham. Conversation covers lineup tweaks, the impact of Asar Thompson’s absence, and what the Pistons need to contend with elite teams.
Mar 5, 2026 • 33min
Thunder take down Knicks in a thriller + Hornets on the rise
Fred Katz, NBA reporter at The Athletic who breaks down game-level performance. He dissects the Knicks’ recent defensive resurgence and whether that toughness will translate to the playoffs. He highlights Mohamed Dior’s three-point growth and spacing fit alongside bigs. He explains matchup lessons from Oklahoma City and what New York must tighten in late-game execution.
Mar 4, 2026 • 49min
NBA Daily Mailbag | Morning Shoot Around
Panelists debate whether Detroit leans too heavily on Cade Cunningham and lament the lack of secondary creators. They riff on dream playoff matchups and NBA throwback broadcasts. The conversation also covers All-Star eligibility rules, anti-tank ideas, and which teams must tweak lineups for playoff success.
