The Athletic NBA Daily – November 13, 2025

Episode Summary: Big nights for Steph Curry & Jokić + OKC Keeps Rolling

Overview

On this episode, hosts Dave DeFore and Zena Keita break down a wild Wednesday around the NBA, spotlighting incredible individual performances by Nikola Jokić (Nuggets) and Stephen Curry (Warriors), plus the surging Oklahoma City Thunder. They analyze roster moves, discuss the injury-riddled Clippers, and go deep on how the shorthanded Detroit Pistons—behind unsung heroes Dennis Jenkins and Paul Reed—pulled off an inspiring win. Hunter Patterson joins to give the inside scoop on Detroit's early-season magic.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Scheduling Chaos and NBA Cup Impact

• Back-to-Backs Causing Chaos (02:48):
  • Seven teams on second night of a back-to-back due to the NBA Cup's Friday game schedule, leading to "duds on national television" and blowouts.
  • Zena Keita jokes: “I’m setting up a million screens in my house, trying to watch everything.” (03:16)
  • Only OKC seems immune to these schedule challenges.

OKC Thunder’s Red-Hot Start

• OKC Dominance (03:28):
  • Back-to-back blowout wins over the Warriors and Lakers, despite being shorthanded.
  • Dave quips: “I might have undersold them by saying 70 wins.” (03:28)
  • Zena compares their chemistry and momentum to the 2015-16 Warriors, calling it “scary times.” (03:46)

Nikola Jokić’s Historic Night vs. Clippers

• Jokić’s Monster Performance (04:01–08:26):
  • Jokić: 55 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists against the Clippers, shooting 90% from the field.
  • Dave highlights Jokić’s aggression: “This game just felt different from Jokic. He was gunning, it felt like, and he wasn’t missing.” (04:19)
  • Zena: “He sets the bar for I’m going to get this shit done one way or another. Like it’s through the roof.” (06:10)
  • Clippers’ failed strategy—forcing Jokić to be a scorer didn’t work.
• Nuggets’ Improved Second Unit:
  • Last season, Denver's non-Jokić minutes were disastrous (61 point differential).
  • Jonas Valančiūnas and Aaron Gordon’s improved play have helped stabilize the second unit this year.
  • Zena: “His [Gordon’s] game and the versatility of his game...the other level of scoring that’s been unlocked is insane.” (07:45)
• Clippers’ Outlook:
  • Injury woes worsen: Bradley Beal (season-ending), Kawhi Leonard (sprained ankle/foot), and poor team defense.
  • Dave: “Fire up the trade machine is all I’m saying. The Clippers got to go out...they’re going to have to be aggressive.” (09:38)
  • Zena: “You can’t add another ‘uncle’...someone that’s consistently hurt or not playing enough, it’s just not going to work.” (09:57)

Memorable Quotes

• “He sets the bar for I’m going to get this shit done one way or another.” – Zena Keita on Jokić’s mindset (06:10)
• “Fire up the trade machine is all I’m saying.” – Dave DeFore on Clippers’ options (09:38)

Steph Curry’s Vintage Night & Warriors’ Adjustments

• Steph’s Explosive Game vs. Spurs (11:23–12:31):
  • Curry scores 46, with 22 in the third quarter.
  • Dave: “Is this the Warriors from ten years ago? Because Steph put up…22 points [in the third].” (11:24)
  • Zena points out Curry’s ranking: 43 forty-point games after age 30, narrowing in on Michael Jordan’s 44. (12:12)
  • Zena: “No, Steph was otherworldly last night.” (11:48)
• Lineup Change: Will Richard Starts, Kuminga Sits
  • Warriors went small ball; Jonathan Kuminga & Quentin Post moved to the bench, rookie Will Richard inserted for extra spacing.
  • Zena: “Spacing...that is the only way you can get a Steph Curry going again.” (13:11)
  • Will Richard praised for off-ball movement and energy, even without scoring early.
• Kuminga’s Struggles
  • Decreased consistency, particularly on defense, and dealing with a knee issue.

Memorable Quote

• “That is the only way you can get a Steph Curry going again...Spacing.” – Zena Keita (13:11)

• Wemby’s Triple-Double:

  • Victor Wembanyama also shined: 31 pts, 15 rebs, 10 asts.
  • Dave: “There’s no, nobody in the league that can guard [Steph]...he’s a buzzsaw.” (16:53)
  • Zena compares historical true shooting percentages among monster scoring performances by Curry, Harden, and Jokic.

Scrappy Detroit Pistons Dominate Chicago Bulls

• Unexpected Shorthanded Win (21:54–34:04)

  • Pistons rested seven players, including Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, yet beat the Bulls.
  • Dennis Jenkins, a G-League call-up, had his first start and first double-double.
  • Hunter Patterson: “He matches the energy of the city because he was undrafted last year...He’s someone who has supreme confidence in himself.” (23:23)
  • Jenkins credited for providing pace, intensity, and confidence—spark plug role.

• Paul Reed’s Impact

  • “Paul Reid just really has a high IQ and processes the game at a quick, quick level.” – Hunter (25:34)
  • Described as always staying ready, hardworking, with positive locker room chemistry noted by teammates.

• Team Depth & Culture

  • Dave: “They’ve been so great...in a league that now rewards you for that depth where you steal wins. Like tonight, this was a schedule loss...” (24:25)
  • Zena emphasizes “knowing your role” as key to Detroit’s seamless next-man-up approach.
  • Hunter: “They bring in people that they feel are ready to compete at all times, who know their role and who are prepared even when their number isn’t called on...” (28:18)

• Roster Moves?

  • Hunter suggests: “I genuinely think that they think they have everything that they need.” (29:48)
  • The Pistons are holding back on trade talks, wanting to see what the healthy roster looks like before thinking about moves.

Memorable Quotes

• “It’s a team full of dogs, they like to call themselves and this is how they go about picking each other up and playing for each other.” – Hunter Patterson (25:34)
• “Anyone can step up on any given night and they know what they’re supposed to do to contribute to a win.” – Zena Keita (27:03)

J.B. Bickerstaff’s Coaching & Culture

• Both Dave and Hunter lavish praise on Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff:
  • “He understands people at a level that I’m not sure every coach in the league does.” – Hunter Patterson (33:26)
  • “We call that emotional intelligence...The single most important thing to being a coach of athletes.” – Dave DeFore (34:04)

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• 02:20 – Episode opens, NBA Cup-scheduling chaos
• 03:28 – OKC’s success & comparison to 2015–16 Warriors
• 04:01 – Nikola Jokić’s 55-point clinic vs. Clippers
• 09:38 – Clippers’ injuries & urgent need to make a trade
• 11:23 – Steph Curry’s 46-point outburst, Warriors-Spurs analysis
• 13:11 – Warriors lineup changes: Will Richard in, Kuminga out
• 16:44 – Wemby’s triple-double, Spurs' improved outlook
• 21:54 – Detroit Pistons over the Bulls: depth and Jenkins' emergence
• 25:34 – Paul Reed’s role & team chemistry
• 29:48 – Pistons’ view on roster construction and trade season
• 33:26 – J.B. Bickerstaff’s coaching philosophy and impact

Tone & Takeaways

The episode balances sharp analysis and playful banter befitting fast-paced NBA talk. The hosts repeatedly marvel at the unpredictable, emotional nature of the league—be it Jokić’s and Steph’s historic nights, the Thunder’s rise, or how “dogs” from the Detroit bench embody underdog spirit. Throughout, the consensus is clear: depth, adaptability, and culture matter more than ever in the modern NBA.

Key Quotes, Speaker Attribution, and Timestamps

• “He sets the bar for I’m going to get this shit done one way or another.” – Zena Keita (06:10)
• “Fire up the trade machine is all I’m saying.” – Dave DeFore (09:38)
• “That is the only way you can get a Steph Curry going again...Spacing.” – Zena Keita (13:11)
• “Anyone can step up on any given night and they know what they’re supposed to do to contribute to a win.” – Zena Keita (27:03)
• “He understands people at a level that I’m not sure every coach in the league does.” – Hunter Patterson (33:26)
• “We call that emotional intelligence...The single most important thing to being a coach of athletes.” – Dave DeFore (34:04)

This episode delivers an essential, insightful snapshot of the NBA’s key storylines and surprise outcomes, capturing the pulse of a league where anything can—and often does—happen.