The Athletic NBA Daily

The Athletic
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  • BASKETBALL
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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 the full-length Saturday Slam n’ Jam episode.

  1. 1H AGO

    Luka and the Lakers get physical | Are the Bucks finished?

    Luka Doncic and LeBron James combined for 52 points to help the Los Angeles Lakers tie their first-round series with the Minnesota Timberwolves at one game a piece. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita react to the dominant performance from the Thunder through the first two games of the playoffs before being joined by the Athletic’s Shakeia Taylor to breakdown the aftermath of the Pacers pushing to a 2-0 series lead over the Milwaukee Bucks. Then, the Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski and the crew discuss the Wolves game 2 loss and how the adjust for game 3. Host: Dave DuFour With: Zena Keita, Shakeia Taylor, & Jon Krawczynski Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nba/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    32 min

  2. 19H AGO

    Did Kawhi and the Clippers solve Jokić and the Nuggets?

    Kawhi Leonard poured in 39 points on 15/19 shooting to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a game 2 win over the Denver Nuggets. Dave DuFour, Es Baraheni, and James Edwards react to the Detroit Pistons game 2 win over the Knicks, discuss what it means for the city of Detroit and what went wrong for New York. Then, Law Murray joins the show to breakdown Kawhi Leonard’s brilliant game 2 performance. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni, James Edwards, & Law Murray Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nba/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    34 min

  3. 2D AGO

    Warriors Thrive and Lakers Panic Time? + Game 2 Adjustments

    Game 1 of the the NBA Playoffs is in the books, and Dave DuFour, Zena Keita and Es Baraheni discuss the Lakers big loss to the Wolves, the Warriors thriving in Houston, Boston, OKC and Cleveland’s dominance and much more. The NBA Daily crew discuss big takeaways from each game, adjustments that need to be made, and if Game 1 changed any of the opinions on any series. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Bareheni and Zena Keita Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nba/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    34 min
  4. Contender Draft + Playoff Preview | Slam N Jam

    3D AGO

    Contender Draft + Playoff Preview | Slam N Jam

    Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers discuss the week of headlines in the NBA, and an update on the surprise teams and post All Star Break Leap players.  Then they are joined by Dan Devine of Yahoo! Sports to discuss the NBA Playoffs, matchups they like, and then the guys do a contender draft taking the teams they think are most likely to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy at the end of the season.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 Speers With: Dan Devine Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio/Video Editor: Gonzalo Torres Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 17m

  5. 5D AGO

    Favorite Playoff Matchups + The Jokic Bump

    Nikola Jokic is the best player in the NBA and we have our national writer at the Athletic Fred Katz to discuss some nuances in his approach and game. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita discuss Fred’s article on Nikola Jokic and what other players in the NBA are saying about his game. In part 2 Fred sticks around and the crew discusses their favorite Playoff matchups including Nuggets/Clippers, Wolves/Lakers and the return of Damian Lillard. Host: Dave DuFour With: Zena Keita and Fred Katz Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6276862/2025/04/16/nikola-jokic-christian-braun-mentorship-nba-mvp-denver-nuggets/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    36 min

  6. 5D AGO

    Better future: Kings or Bulls? + Mavs move on

    Klay Thompson and Anthony Davis combined for 50 points as the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Sacramento Kings to move on in the Play-in tournament. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to the Miami Heat win, Tyler Herro’s development, and debate the futures of the Kings and Bulls. Then, the Athletic’s Christian Clark joins the show to breakdown the Mavs winning formula, how they stack up against the Grizzlies, and Nico Harrison’s closed-door press conference. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni & Marcus Thompson Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    30 min

  7. APR 16

    Gritty Warriors win play-in + Orlando moves on

    Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry combined for 71 points as the Golden State Warriors defeated the Memphis Grizzlies to clinch the seventh seed in the Western Conference. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to the Grizzlies gritty loss, Desmond Bane’s incredible game, and the Magic defeating the Hawks. Then, the Athletic’s Marcus Thompson joins the show from Chase Center to discuss Playoff Jimmy Butler, the Warriors game plan, and the looming Houston Rockets. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni & Marcus Thompson Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    31 min

  8. APR 15

    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 DuFour With: Zena Keita & Anthony Slater Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    32 min
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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 the full-length Saturday Slam n’ Jam episode.

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