

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 29, 2025 • 25min
Giddey Game Winner + March Badness
Josh Giddey hits a prayer of a half court shot to send the Lakers packing. Zena Keita and Law Murray break down the night of basketball including the Bulls win against the Lakers, the Cavs squeaking by the Spurs, OKC’s avalanche on the Grizzlies and more. Then Zena is joined by Eric Koreen to discuss his article on the NBA in March and if there is anything the league can do to fix tanking.Host: Zena KeitaWith: Law Murray and Eric KoreenExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moodyhttps://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nba/FILL OUT OUR SURVEY PLEASEThe athletic.com/athletic/survey25 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 27, 2025 • 25min
LeBron Game Winner + Rookie Check In
LeBron James tips in a game winner to beat the Pacers in the game of the night. Es Baraheni and Alex Hoops discuss the night of NBA basketball including the Lakers beating the Pacers, Jokic’s return, and more. Then the guys discuss the rookie class including who has been the best rookie this season, who deserves more ROY buzz, and which player will be the best in 5 seasons?Host: Es BaraheniWith: Alex HoopsExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moodyhttps://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nba/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 26, 2025 • 29min
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
Jimmy Butler returns to Miami in a game where the Warriors really struggle, is there worry in San Francisco? Es Baraheni and Andrew Schlecht discuss Damian Lillard being out with a blood clot, and how it could affect the Bucks. Then the guys do a “Moments Draft” from the night before including a fun airball, Thunder making history, Keegan Murray and much more. Then in Part 2, Anthony Slater of the Athletic joins to discuss the Warriors playing the Heat and the return of Jimmy Butler. Plus, how worried are the Warriors about the Playoff race down the stretch?Host: Es BaraheniWith: Andrew Schlecht and Anthony SlaterExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moodyhttps://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nba/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 25, 2025 • 27min
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
The Lakers continue to struggle after a loss in Orlando, how can they bounce back? Es Baraheni and Isaac Gutierrez of the Deep 3 Podcast discuss which trends are real, and which are just a product of March in the NBA. Then, the Athletic’s Hunter Patterson joins to discuss the Detroit Pistons and who they’d want to play in the first round + what has led to the turnaround for Detroit.Host: Es BaraheniWith: Isaac Gutierrez and Hunter PattersonExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moodyhttps://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nba/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 24, 2025 • 26min
The Cavs slide + Houston’s Playoff Prep
The Cavs stop their slide with a win against Utah, but what does it really mean for the Cavs? Es Baraheni and Zena Keita play Something, Nothing or Everything with the Cavs slide, Suns winning 3 in a row, Lakers returning to full strength, the fun Bulls and the Clippers surging. Then, the Athletic’s Kelly Iko joins to discuss the Houston Rockets and the expectations for them in the Playoffs + what could happen in the offseason with the roster.Host: Es BaraheniWith: Zena Keita and Kelly IkoExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moodyhttps://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nba/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 22, 2025 • 1h 19min
Who are the True Contenders? + The Spurs Future
Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers discuss the week of NBA Basketball NBA Title Odds , and our players, stats and quotes of the week. Then they are joined by Matthew Tynan to discuss the San Antonio Spurs and Wemby's future, Stephon Castles rookie seaosn, and what the expectations look like for the Spurs future. 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: Matthew TynanExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Editor: Jake Kleinberg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 21, 2025 • 34min
Curry injured in Warriors win + New owners for the Boston Celtics
Stephen Curry scored 17 points before exiting the game with an injury as the Golden State Warriors defeated the Toronto Raptors. Dave DuFour and Marcus Thompson discuss Steph’s injury, the Warriors win, and the problem with the Lakers resting players. Then, the Athletic’s Jared Weiss joins Dave to discuss the sale of the Boston Celtics, how it will affect the team, and what it means for the NBA’s expansion plans.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Marcus Thompson & Jared WeissExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moodyhttps://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nba/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 20, 2025 • 27min
Cavaliers lose 3rd straight + When will LeBron return?
DeMar DeRozan’s 27 points helped the Sacramento Kings defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers, sending them to their third straight loss. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni discuss the Cavs’ losing streak, debate game winners between Cade Cunningham and Andrew Nemhard, and catch up on the latest in the Western Conference playoff race. Then, the Athletic’s Jovan Buha joins the show with an update on LeBron James and Rui Hachimura’s respective returns from injury, insight on the relationship between Luka Doncic and JJ Redick , and to discuss the Lakers’ biggest weakness.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni & Jovan BuhaExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moodyhttps://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nba/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 19, 2025 • 27min
Warriors win without Curry + Can NBA referees improve?
Jimmy Butler connected on all 11 of his free throws to lead the Golden State Warriors to a win over the Milwaukee Bucks in spite Steph Curry’s absence. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita discuss the Warriors win, the Bucks issues scoring, and Kawhi Leonard’s performance in the Clippers win over the Cavaliers. Then, the Athletic’s Shakeia Taylor joins the show to go deep on NBA referees, the sports referee crisis, and how the league’s rules are interpreted.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita & Shakeia TaylorExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyRead Shakeia Taylor on referees: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6197306/2025/03/17/nba-refs-referees-officials-officiating-basketball/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 18, 2025 • 40min
Nuggets shock Warriors without Jokić + Knicks surviving without Brunson
Aaron Gordon had 38 points and Russell Westbrook had a triple double to lead the Denver Nuggets to an improbable, shorthanded win over the Golden State Warriors. Dave DuFour and Law Murray breakdown the overtime finish between the Pacers and Timberwolves, the Rockets scrappy win, and the Warriors loss to the Nuggets without Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray. Then, the Athletic’s Fred Katz and Dave discuss Fred’s latest article on the Knicks’ approach without Jalen Brunson, how it prepares them for the playoffs, and the disorganization of the Phoenix Suns.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Law Murray & Fred KatzExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyRead Fred Katz on the Knicks: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6207882/2025/03/17/knicks-offense-jalen-brunson-injury-nba/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.