

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

Jan 30, 2025 • 33min
Warriors down Thunder | De’Aaron Fox to Spurs?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 52 points, but it wasn’t enough to hold off Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors as the Thunder drop their 9th game of the season. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita react to the Warriors win and then Sam Amick stops by to give the latest on De’Aaron Fox, Jimmy Butler, and the Milwaukee Bucks. Then, the Athletic’s Law Murray joins the show to discuss Kawhi Leonard’s progress, the Clippers success thus far, and their potential moves at the trade deadline.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita, Sam Amick, & Law MurrayExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyRead Sam’s report on Fox: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6095410/2025/01/28/deaaron-fox-kings-trade-open-nba/Read Law’s latest on the Clippers at the deadline: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6093053/2025/01/28/clippers-nba-trade-deadline-tiers/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 29, 2025 • 28min
Kings open to De’Aaron Fox trade | Maxey’s 43 rocks Lakers
The Sacramento Kings are listening to trade offers for former All-Star De’Aaron Fox. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita discuss to the Kings decision and Fox’s preferred destination, react to another wild finish for the Houston Rockets, and praise the Portland Trail Blazers for their recent stretch. Then, the Athletic’s Anthony Slater stops by to talk about the Warriors options at the trade deadline, the De’Aaron Fox timeline, and why the Western Conference isn’t very good.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita & Anthony SlaterExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyCheckout the Athletic Women’s Basketball Show: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-womens-basketball-show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 28, 2025 • 32min
Is Amen Thompson a star? | Beal or No Beal for Chicago
Amen Thompson scored a career high 33 points to lead the Houston Rockets to a victory in Boston over the Celtics. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to Houston’s big win, Amen Thompson’s star potential, Bradley Beal’s no trade clause, and the death of the dunk contest . Then, Keith Parish from “Grits and Grinds stops by to talk about the Grizzlies recent schedule, their new offense and Ja Morant’s bad game against the Knicks.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni & Keith ParishExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodySubmit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 27, 2025 • 27min
Sixers refuse to tank | Kawhi & Clippers are back
The Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Houston Rockets on Saturday to drop their third game in a row. Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Es Baraheni react to Cleveland’s losing streak, the Sixers trying to compete, and Rivalry Week’s conclusion. Then, the gang talks about some things nobody is talking about like the Clippers since Kawhi returned, Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Grizzlies winning ways, and Kel’el Ware’s ascension up the rookie ladder.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni & Zena KeitaExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyRead David Aldridge’s story on the Sixers: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6087167/2025/01/26/joel-embiid-76ers-committed-draft-josh-harris/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 24, 2025 • 28min
Jokić does it again | Confusing Lakers blast Celtics
Nikola Jokić recorded his fifth straight triple-double to lead the Denver Nuggets to a win over the Sacramento Kings. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to Jokić’s 70 foot buzzer beater and box score, the Lakers ability to be good or bad depending on the night, and the biggest name snubbed as an All Star starter. Then, the Athletic’s Joe Vardon joins the show from Paris to talk about the awesome Victor Wembanyama show, the hum of the arena, and possible NBA expansion to Europe.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni & Joe VardonExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodySubmit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 23, 2025 • 31min
Sengun & Rockets stun Cavs | Is Jimmy Butler worth it for the Suns?
The Houston Rockets handed the Cleveland Cavaliers their 7th loss of the season thanks to two late by Alperen Sengun. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to the chaotic finish in Houston, the Pistons climb up the standings, and Jimmy Butler’s suspension. Then, the Athletic’s Fred Katz joins the show to talk about his interview with OG Anunoby, the Pistons (again), and whether Jimmy Butler moves the needle for the Suns.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni & Fred KatzExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodySubmit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 22, 2025 • 28min
Suns making moves for Butler? | Jokić still in MVP mix
The Phoenix Suns traded their 2031 first round pick to the Utah Jazz for three future first rounders. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita discuss the Suns trade, what it means for Jimmy Butler, and the season Nikola Jokic is having. Then, the Athletic’s Marcus Thompson joins the show to discuss the idea of Rivals Week, how Cam Johnson can swing the championship, and why the Thunder have title pressure this season.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita & Marcus ThompsonExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodySubmit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 21, 2025 • 29min
Grizzlies maul Wolves in comeback win | Celtics bounce back
Jaren Jackson scored 15 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Memphis Grizzlies over Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves for the second time in ten days. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni discuss the Wolves lineup issues with Donte DiVincenzo out indefinitely, the Julius Randle problem, and the Pistons success in 2025. Then, the Athletic’s Jay King joins the show from the Bay Area to discuss the woeful Warriors, Boston’s status in the Eastern Conference, and what’s next for the Celtics.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni & Jay KingExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodySubmit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 18, 2025 • 1h 9min
2025 NBA Draft Preview + Rookie Awards | Slam N Jam
Slam N JamAndrew Schlecht and Alex Speers discuss the 2025 NBA Draft with Sam Vecenie of the Athletic. They deep dive on Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper and which player is most likely to go number 3? How many tier 1 players are in this draft and a lengthy discussion on the depth of the draft. They then transition to a discussion about the 2024 rookie class and hand out awards as a way to talk about 9 rookies who are standing out above (or below) the rest. Then the boys play a fun edition of Andrew vs. the Beat, a trivia game where Andrew is pitted against a beat writer, this time a trivia show based on the 2024 class.Host: Andrew Schlecht and Alex SpeersWith: Sam VecenieExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Editor: Jake Kleinberg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 17, 2025 • 26min
Thunder strike back | Cavs on the trade market?
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points in the first 3 quarters en route to a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in a matchup between the league’s two best teams. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita breakdown the Thunder win, Shai’s MVP performance, and discuss the new Unrivaled basketball league and the potential ramifications for the NBA. Then, the Athletic’s Joe Vardon joins the show from Oklahoma City with the Cavs’ perspective on their loss, why they struggle against perimeter size, and who they are targeting on the trade market.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita & Joe VardonExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodySubmit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.