San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama will miss the remainder of the season after being diagnosed with a blood clot in his shoulder. Dave DuFour and Zena react to the news about Wemby, the Knicks overtime win, and the Denver Nuggets rise up the west standings. Then, the Athletic’s Sam Amick joins the show to breakdown the timeline for Wembanyama’s diagnosis, the fallout, and whether the Spurs will be searching for a new coach.

Host: Dave DuFour

With: Zena Keita & Sam Amick

Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht

Audio Producer: Grayson Moody

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/Ua2qrEe7

Read Sam’s story on Victor Wembanyama: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6149559/2025/02/20/victor-wembanyama-blood-clot-spurs/

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State of the League | LaMelo out-duels Luka; Lakers lose

Luka Doncic struggles as the Lakers lose their first game after the All Star to LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to the the Lakers’ loss and breakdown the defensive issues that will limit Luka and LeBron. Then, the Athletic’s Sam Amick stops by to discuss the fallout from a poorly received All Star weekend, Draymond Green’s comments, and whether broadcast negativity creates more problems for the NBA.

Host: Dave DuFour

With: Es Baraheni & Sam Amick

Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht

Audio Producer: Grayson Moody

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/Ua2qrEe7

Read Sam’s story on Draymond’s prediction: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6141143/2025/02/16/draymond-green-jimmy-butler-warriors-nba-championship/

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The Warriors traded for Jimmy Butler at the deadline and Draymond Green declared the Warriors are going to win the title. Zena Keita and Marcus Thompson discuss what the ceiling of the Warriors is, and if they have enough to actually get through the West. They discuss the top end talent of Jimmy, Curry and Draymond and if the young players on the roster can help get them where they need to go.

Host: Zena Keita

With: Marcus Thompson

Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht

Audio Producer: Grayson Moody

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/Ua2qrEe7

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The 2025 NBA Draft is just around the corner with the prize at the top being Cooper Flagg. Es Baraheni and guest from the Game Theory Podcast Bryce Simon break down Cooper's game and who he would fit best with. After a break they discuss the tank race, who could be selected in the top 5, and how good the 2025 class is.

Host: Es Baraheni

With: Bryce Simon

Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht

Audio Producer: Grayson Moody

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/Ua2qrEe7

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Stephen Curry scored 12 points to lead Team Shaq to a win in the All Star Championship game and was named All Star MVP. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to the new All Star format results, discuss whether we live in a post dunk era, and the Wemby skills challenge controversy. Then, Zena Keita catches up with Law Murray postgame from Chase to discuss the game, Curry’s MVP, and the weekend.

Host: Dave DuFour

With: Zena Keita, Es Baraheni, & Law Murray

Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht

Audio Producer: Grayson Moody

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/Ua2qrEe7

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Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers discuss the week of NBA Basketball, Who will win the MVP of the All Star Game, fun stats about Christian Braun and DeMar DeRozan, Nate Robinson's kidney transplant, trade deadline fallout and more. Then they are joined by Kelly Iko of the Athletic to discuss the Houston Rockets, their recent struggles, and how they will build their team in the near 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 Speers

With: Kelly Iko

Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht

Audio/Video Editor: Jake Kleinberg

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Stephen Curry scored 27 points to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 105-98 win over the Houston Rockets. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita react to Jimmy Butler’s fit so far, the Wolves big win over the Thunder, and the latest injury news for Daniel Gafford and the Mavericks. Then, musician John Tesh joins the show to discuss nostalgia, how he came up with “Roundball Rock”, and a live performance.

Host: Dave DuFour

With: Zena Keita, Es Baraheni & John Tesh

Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht

Audio Producer: Grayson Moody

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/Ua2qrEe7

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Kyrie Irving scored 42 points to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a win over the Golden State Warriors and new addition Jimmy Butler. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to Kyrie’s night, the Knicks wild overtime game against the Hawks, OKC’s huge comeback over the Heat, and Jamal Murray’s return to form. Then, the Athletic’s Jovan Buha joins the show to discuss the Lakers’ loss to the Jazz, game two of the Luka era, and the latest in Mark Williams trade saga.

Host: Dave DuFour

With: Es Baraheni & Jovan Buha

Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht

Audio Producer: Grayson Moody

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/Ua2qrEe7

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Kevin Durant scored 35 points to pass 30,000 all time as the Phoenix Suns lost to the Memphis Grizzlies. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita react to KD’s milestone night and discuss whether the Sixers should shut it down after an embarrassing loss. Then, the Athletic’s James Edwards joins the show to catch up on the Knicks big win in Indiana, Karl-Anthony Towns’ success, and why Josh Hart is so impactful to winning.

Host: Dave DuFour

With: Zena Keita and James Edwards

Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht

Audio Producer: Grayson Moody

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/Ua2qrEe7

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Luka Doncic made his Los Angeles Lakers debut in a blowout win over the Utah Jazz. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to Luka’s night, the weird situation in Dallas, and the All Star injury replacements. Then, the Guardian’s national NBA writer Claire De Lune joins the show from Crypto to set the scene, discuss Luka’s introduction to Lakers fans, and the team’s playoff ceiling.

Host: Dave DuFour

With: Es Baraheni & Claire De Lune

Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht

Audio Producer: Grayson Moody

Submit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/

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