The Athletic NBA Daily

The Athletic NBA Daily

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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 …

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Episodes

Thunder roll Lakers + Luka injured

<p>Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to the Pistons continued success without Cade Cunningham and the Hornets winning their 41st win of the season. Then, Andrew Schlecht joins the show …

Apr 03, 2026 · 27m

MVP Deep Dive + Steph Curry’s Return

<p>Dave DuFour and Zena Keita are joined by Sam Amick to discuss how Wemby is pushing for the MVP and how Shai and Luka are making a push. They also …

Apr 02, 2026 · 25m

NBA Mailbag | Morning Shoot Around

Dave, Es and Zena answer listener questions. <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Apr 01, 2026 · 52m

What is wrong with the Knicks?

<p>Dave DuFour and Zena Keita discuss the Lakers blowout win over the Cavaliers, Luka Dončić and the MVP race, and the Lakers as contenders. Then, James Edwards joins the show …

Apr 01, 2026 · 25m

Shai vs. Wemby for MVP?

<p>Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to the Thunder surviving against a shorthanded Pistons team and the SGA vs. Wemby MVP race. Then, Tony Jones stops by to talk about …

Mar 31, 2026 · 27m

Thunder drop Knicks + Are the Magic broken?

<p>Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Es Baraheni react to the Thunder beating the Knicks, discuss Karl-Anthony Towns offense, and breakdown the Orlando's embarrassing loss to the Raptors. Then, the gang …

Mar 30, 2026 · 27m

Are the Pistons a Contender? + East Play In Mania | Slam N Jam

<p><strong>Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers are back for another episode of the Saturday Slam N Jam. They discuss the week of basketball plus their Good, Bad, and What in which …

Mar 28, 2026 · 1h 20m

NBA All-Surprise Team w/ Fred Katz

<p>Dave DuFour and Fred Katz take a look at the most interesting potential playoff matchups and what problems may arise. Then, the guys react to Fred's All-Surprise Team, discuss the …

Mar 27, 2026 · 43m

Celtics bully Thunder + Wolves shock Rockets

<p>Dave DuFour and Zena Keita react to incredible overtime comeback by the Wolves and the returns of Joel Embiid and Paul George for the 76ers. Then, Jay King joins the …

Mar 26, 2026 · 28m

The NBA Contender Pie | Morning Shoot Around

<p>Andrew Schlecht and Dave DuFour discuss who has the biggest slice of pie in the contender pie chart.</p><br><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> …

Mar 25, 2026 · 56m

Nobody likes the 65-game rule

<p>Dave DuFour and Zena Keita react to the NBA Player's Association complaints about the Bucks shutting down Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Player Participation Policy's 65-game rule. Then, Carter Rodriguez from …

Mar 25, 2026 · 30m

J Dub returns for OKC + Are the Lakers title contenders?

<p>Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to the return of Jalen Williams for the Thunder, the Victor Wembanyama problem, and the Rockets wasting a 40-point night from Kevin Durant. Then, …

Mar 24, 2026 · 27m

KD passes MJ + Post All-Star Glow-ups

<p>Dave DuFour, Es Baraheni, and Zena Keita react to Kevin Durant passing Michael Jordan on the all-time scoring list, his chances of passing Kareem, and the Thunder getting healthy. Then, …

Mar 23, 2026 · 28m

Nuggets Toast? + Which Tanking Team Deserves the first pick? | Slam N Jam

<p><strong>Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers are back for another episode of the Saturday Slam N Jam. They discuss the week of basketball plus their Good, Bad, and What in which …

Mar 21, 2026 · 1h 3m

March Madness, Cade Cunningham out + Boston winning the East?

<p>Dave DuFour and Brian Geissinger react to some of the fun moments from the NCAA tournament, discuss Cade Cunningham's season ending injury, and the fall out from the NBA's 65-game …

Mar 20, 2026 · 29m

Luka magic for the Lakers, again

<p>Dave DuFour, Es Baraheni, and Will Guillory react to the Lakers back-to-back wins over the Rockets, the Luka and LeBron duo putting on a show, and the Rockets continuing fourth …

Mar 19, 2026 · 28m

NBA EXPANSION DRAFT | Morning Shoot Around

<p>Dave DuFour, Es Baraheni and Andrew Schlecht do an NBA Expansion Draft. </p><br><p>Host: Andrew Schlecht</p><p>With: Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni</p><p>Producer: Andrew Schlecht</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' …

Mar 18, 2026 · 57m

Thunder clinch playoffs + Drafting tanking teams

<p>Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to the Thunder clinching a playoff berth and the Wolves handling business against the Suns without Anthony Edwards. Then, the guys take a look …

Mar 18, 2026 · 27m

Should the NBA expand to Seattle and Las Vegas?

<p>Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to the Hawks extending their win streak to 10 games with a win over the Magic, the upcoming NBA expansion vote, and whether Seattle …

Mar 17, 2026 · 30m

Lakers on the rise + Playoff positioning

<p>Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Es Baraheni react to the Lakers thrilling win over the Nuggets, the Thunder handling business against the Wolves, and how the West playoffs have been …

Mar 16, 2026 · 26m

The Most and Least Clutch NBA Players + HEAT WEEK | Slam N Jam

<p><strong>Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers are back for another episode of the Saturday Slam N Jam. They discuss the week of basketball plus their Good, Bad, and why Shai’s case …

Mar 14, 2026 · 1h 3m

SGA passes Wilt + Adebayo's 83 asterisk?

<p>Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to the Thunder win over the Celtics, Shai's scoring record, and Jamal Murray's big night for the Nuggets. Then, Sam Amick joins the gang …

Mar 13, 2026 · 30m

Is this Kawhi Leonard's best season?

<p>Dave DuFour and Zena Keita react to Kawhi Leonard's 45-point night in a blowout win over the Timberwolves and the Nuggets starting five finally coming together for a win. Then, …

Mar 12, 2026 · 31m

NBA Dark Horse Rankings | Morning Shoot Around

<p>Andrew Schlecht, Zena Kieta, Es Baraheni and Dave DuFour discuss and rank the NBA's dark horse candidates in the NBA, discuss Bam's 83 point night, and predict who will be …

Mar 11, 2026 · 53m

Bam Adebayo scores 83 points, passes Kobe Bryant

<p>Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to Bam Adebayo’s historic 83-point performance and the Lakers movement up the Western Conference standings. Then, Jay King joins the show to after the …

Mar 11, 2026 · 28m

Best game of the season: Thunder vs. Nuggets

<p>Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Andrew Schlecht react to the heroics of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to lead the Thunder to a 129-126 win over the Nuggets. Did SGA wrap up the …

Mar 10, 2026 · 23m

Tatum's return + Wemby's ascension

<p>Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Es Baraheni react to Jayson Tatum's return and what it means for the Celtics and Victor Wembanyama's growth this season. Then, the gang takes a …

Mar 09, 2026 · 28m

76ers in Trouble? + Hot Hornets and Westbrook Drama | Slam N Jam

<p><strong>Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers are back for another episode of the Saturday Slam N Jam. They discuss the week of basketball plus their Good, Bad, and What including the …

Mar 07, 2026 · 1h 15m