
The Athletic NBA Daily
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.
Latest episodes

Apr 15, 2025 • 27min
Warriors, Grizzlies deep dive + Play-in Preview
Dave DuFour and Zena Keita breakdown the NBA play-in and playoff brackets and discuss the most compelling series. Then, the Athletic’s Anthony Slater joins the show to breakdown the Warriors and Grizzlies play-in matchup, Jonathan Kuminga’s status, and Playoff Jimmy Butler.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita & Anthony SlaterExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 14, 2025 • 25min
Clippers clinch playoffs; Warriors to play-in + NBA Regular Season Finale
Kawhi Leonard and James Harden combined for 72 points as the Clippers defeated Steph Curry and the Warriors to clinch a playoff spot. Dave DuFour, Es Baraheni and Zena Keita discuss the Clippers big win, Jonathan Kuminga’s benching, and the Warriors issues. Then, the gang recaps the final day of the regular season, discusses Chris Paul’s future, and the big takeaways from the year.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita, Es Baraheni, Law MurrayExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 12, 2025 • 1h 27min
NBA Awards "The Slammies" + The Blazers Future | Slam N Jam
Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers discuss the week of NBA Basketball and bring back the Slammies, the made up NBA Awards we've done the last 4 seasons. Then they are joined by Mike Richman of Locked on Blazers to discuss the Portland Trailblazers and their fun unexpected season, Scoot Henderson's potential, the lottery and much more. 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 RichmanExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Editor: Jake Kleinberg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 11, 2025 • 26min
Anthony Edwards’ big game + All NBA Defensive Perimeter Teams
Anthony Edwards scored 44 points to lead the Timberwolves to an important win over the Grizzlies. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita discuss the Wolves big win, the problem with the Grizzlies’ bigs, and who the Bucks should want to face in the playoffs. Then, the Athletic’s Fred Katz joins the show to discuss his perimeter defense teams, what makes a good defender, and the Thunder defense.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita & Fred KatzExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 10, 2025 • 24min
Luka’s emotional return to Dallas
Luka Doncic scored 45 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a win in his first game back in Dallas. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni talk discuss Luka’s big game, Lakers small ball, the Warriors buzzer-beater loss to the Spurs, and the Nuggets first post-Malone game. Then, Christian Clark from the Athletic joins the show to discuss Luka’s return, the emotions in the building, and those “Fire Nico” chants.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni & Christian ClarkExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 9, 2025 • 25min
Michael Malone out in Denver + Thunder get revenge on Lakers
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 42 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni talk to Andrew Schlecht postgame to discuss the Thunder win, Shai’s big game, and Luka Doncic’s ejection. Then, Adam Mares from DNVR joins the show to discuss Michael Malone’s firing, Jamal Murray’s health, and what comes next for the post-Malone Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokić.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni, Andrew Schlecht, & Adam MaresExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 8, 2025 • 23min
Western Conference playoff race + Most Improved Player award
With 6 days remaining the NBA regular season, the 2 through 8 seeds are all still up for grabs. Dave DuFour and RealGM’s Wes Goldberg breakdown the western conference playoff seeding race, discuss the field, and why the Clippers need to avoid the play-in. Then, Dave and Wes breakdown the defensive player of the year race, discuss Amen Thompson’s case, and why Tyler Herro should win most improved.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Wes GoldbergExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 7, 2025 • 23min
Why the Lakers are a nightmare for the Thunder + MVPs in purgatory
Luka Doncic scored 30 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 27-point blowout win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Dave DuFour and RealGM’s John Wilmes breakdown the Lakers win, discuss JJ Redick’s coaching, and the OKC’s nightmare scenario. Then, Dave and John discuss the MVP level performances from Nikola Jokić and Giannis Antetokounmpo and what it means if they fail in the playoffs.Host: Dave DuFourWith: John WilmesExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 5, 2025 • 1h 12min
Ja Morant and Westbrook Blunders + Nets Need Lottery Luck | Slam N Jam
Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers discuss the week of NBA Basketball, the most improved player, and our players, stats and quotes of the week. Then they are joined by Mike Smeltz to discuss the Brooklyn Nets and what prospects are worth building with, coach Jordi Fernandez and his potential, which players they should target in the draft, and more. 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 SmeltzExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Editor: Jake KleinbergFILL OUT OUR SURVEY PLEASEThe athletic.com/athletic/survey25 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 4, 2025 • 31min
Luka’s worst game as a Laker + Draymond’s defensive mind
Stephen Curry scored 37 points to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 123-116 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Dave DuFour and Jovan Buha breakdown the Warriors defense against the Lakers, Luka’s worst game in LA, and Austin Reaves’ playoff role. Then, the Athletic’s Marcus Thompson stops by to discuss his film breakdown with Draymond Green, Kevin Garnett, and the Defensive Player of the Year award.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Jovan Buha & Marcus ThompsonExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyRead Marcus Thompson on Draymond: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6248565/2025/04/03/draymond-green-golden-state-warriors-nba-defense/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.