The Athletic NBA Daily

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 DuFour With: Zena Keita & Joe Vardon 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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Phoenix Suns acquired Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets for Josh Okogie and three second round picks. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita breakdown the trade and the Suns’ next steps, discuss Boston’s loss to the tanking Raptors, and the Wolves dropping another game they need to win. Then, the Athletic’s Sam Amick joins the show to empty his notebook and tell us what he’s hearing on the Milwaukee Bucks’ potential pursuit of Jimmy Butler, the Suns’ prospects on a trade with Miami, and whatever the Chicago Bulls are doing. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni & Sam Amick 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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donovan Mitchell poured in 35 points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 127-117 win over the Indiana Pacers. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita breakdown Mitchell and the Cavs’ bounce back performance, Jamal Murray’s night in Dallas, and the weird vibe around the Golden State Warriors. Then, The Athletic’s Eric Nehm joins the show to discuss the Milwaukee Bucks’ identity, their up and down season, and their trade deadline prospects. Host: Dave DuFour With: Zena Keita & Eric Nehm 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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Houston Rockets beat the Memphis Grizzlies thanks to 42 points from Jalen Green. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni discuss the Rockets big win and their place in the West, the Warriors abysmal lost to the tanking Raptors, and the Knicks side of their loss to Detroit. Then, the Athletic’s Hunter Patterson joins the show to breakdown the Pistons path to success, Cade Cunningham’s growth, and Detroit’s trade deadline plans. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni & Hunter Patterson 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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices