

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

May 9, 2025 • 22min
The Warriors need Playoff Jimmy Butler
Julius Randle had 24 points and 11 to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a win over the Warriors. Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Marcus Thompson react to the Wolves win, the absence of Playoff Jimmy Butler, and Jonathan Kuminga’s opportunity.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita & Marcus ThompsonExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 8, 2025 • 26min
Can the Celtics come back and beat the Knicks?
Mikal Bridges makes a game saving steal for the second game in row to help the Knicks take a 2-0 series lead over the Boston Celtics. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni breakdown the Knicks defensive effort, the Thunder beatdown of the Nuggets, and discuss Steph Curry’s hamstring injury. Then, Jared Weiss joins the show after being evacuated from TD Garden following the brutal loss for the Celtics to discuss another 20-point lead disappearing and whether the Celtics stand a chance at winning the series.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Eś Baraheni and Jared WeissExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 snips
May 7, 2025 • 1h 20min
Cavs and Thunder should be worried | Morning Shoot Around
Is Indiana emerging as a true contender? The hosts break down team anxiety levels, particularly for the struggling Cavaliers. They also delve into playoff dynamics, spotlighting clutch performances and critical coaching decisions. Plus, geographic challenges in team alignments are examined as they consider the Thunder's future. Tune in for insights on how injuries and strategies might reshape the playoff landscape!

May 7, 2025 • 24min
Pacers down Cavs again + are the Warriors done without Steph?
Jon Krawczynski, a seasoned analyst for the Minnesota Timberwolves, joins the discussion on the exhilarating playoff series between the Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers. They dive into Tyrese Haliburton's dramatic game-winning shot that clinched a critical comeback. Krawczynski also shares insights on the Timberwolves' struggles, highlighting Anthony Edwards' inconsistent performance and the challenges the team faced. The conversation wraps up with thoughts on how the Warriors might cope without Steph Curry as they navigate their playoff path.

May 6, 2025 • 27min
Should the Thunder be worried?
Andrew Schlecht, an NBA reporter for The Athletic, joins the discussion following the Thunder's disappointing loss to the Nuggets. He analyzes what went wrong in their game, particularly against star Nikola Jokić. The conversation highlights the Thunder's struggles with shooting efficiency and critical coaching decisions. Schlecht emphasizes the importance of playoff experience and learning from mistakes as the team navigates this challenging series. The insights offer a sobering yet hopeful perspective for Thunder fans.

May 5, 2025 • 26min
Can the Warriors beat the Wolves?
Buddy Hield poured in 33 points and made 9 threes to lead the Golden State Warriors to a game 7 series clinching win over the Houston Rockets. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni discuss the Pacers win over the Cavaliers, Andrew Nembhard as a playoff riser, and how the Nuggets stack up against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Then, Zena Keita joins the show to talk about Buddy Hield’s big night and how the Warriors stack up against the Timberwolves.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni & Zena KeitaExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moodyhttps://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nba/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 3, 2025 • 1h 2min
NBA Contender Draft | Slam N Jam
Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers are joined by Mike Zakarian to discuss questions surrounding East teams that remain in the Playoffs and if the Cavs can win it all. They also discuss the eliminated teams including which future would you rather have: Magic or Pistons? Mike then joins the guys in doing their weekly Contender Draft, before discussing the Western Conference Playoffs. Then the boys play a fun edition of Andrew vs. the Beat, a trivia game where Andrew is pitted against a beat writer.Host: Andrew Schlecht and Alex SpeersWith: Mike ZakarianExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Editor: Gonzalo Torres Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 2, 2025 • 29min
Brunson sends Pistons packing
The New York Knicks move on to round 2 after their game 6 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Zena Keita is joined by James Edwards III of the Athletic to discuss the Knicks winning the series and how they will play against the Celtics, and how the Pistons build off their first Playoff run. Then in segment 2 Zena is joined by Dave DuFour from the LA Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets game to discuss the Clippers pushing the series to 7 games.Host: Zena KeitaWith: Andrew Schlecht, Hunter Patterson and Dave DuFourExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 1, 2025 • 28min
How did the Wolves beat the Lakers?
Rudy Gobert had 27 points and 24 rebounds to lift the Minnesota Timberwolves to a series clinching win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni are joined by Anthony Slater to breakdown the Houston Rockets big win and how the Warriors bounce back in game 6. Then, Dave and Es discuss Gobert’s huge game, the Lakers biggest concerns going into the offseason, and who the Wolves should want to face next.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni & Anthony SlaterExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 30, 2025 • 32min
Haliburton’s game winner finishes Bucks + Is Playoff Jamal Murray back?
Tyrese Haliburton blew by Giannis Antetokounmpo for the game winning and series clinching lay-up as the Pacers sent the Bucks home for the summer. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita discuss the Pacers overtime win, the postgame fracas, and how the Pistons handled the Knicks. Then, the Athletic’s Law Murray joins the show to react to the Nuggets game 5 win over the Clippers, Jamal Murray’s shotmaking, and respecting Russell Westbrook.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita & Law MurrayExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


