The Athletic NBA Daily – November 6, 2025

Episode Theme:
A packed recap and analysis of a dramatic NBA night – the Portland Trail Blazers snap Oklahoma City Thunder’s undefeated streak, the Lakers stymie the Spurs and Victor Wembanyama, and an in-depth look at how high the surging Houston Rockets can go. Will Guillory joins hosts Dave DuFour and Zena Keita for insights on Houston’s early dominance and the energy crisis in Memphis.

Highlights & Key Discussion Points

1. Portland Trail Blazers Hand Thunder Their First Loss

Timestamps: 02:17 – 04:43

• Thunder’s Surprise Defeat
  • Oklahoma City sat Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso, and Luguentz Dort on the second game of a back-to-back.
  • Despite leading 41–21 after the 1st quarter, OKC’s lack of depth showed as they squandered the lead.
  • “They also sat some guys. …Thunder were not just out of this game. They were up 41 to 21 at the end of one.” — Dave DuFour [03:06]
  • Zena notes: “The depth of Portland is what really changed the game here… Jeremy Grant, 20 points off the bench and then… Drop Wreath, coming off and scoring 12 as well for Portland.” [03:41]
  • Deni Avdija flirted with a triple-double (26 pts, 10 rebs, 9 ast; 15/16 FT).
• Blazers’ Fighting Spirit
  • Zena: “They’ve had this grit about themselves in every game that they’ve played. …Pretty competitive this season so far.” [04:14]
• Game’s Decisive Moments
  • Blazers capitalized on tired Thunder legs, winning the shot-making contest down the stretch.
  • Close call: “Blazers did get a little lucky that Aaron Wiggins’ toe was on the line and didn’t give up three free throws there.” – Dave [04:43]
• Perspective: Both hosts downplay the long-term significance for OKC due to fatigue and missing key players.

2. Lakers Beat Spurs – Growing Pains for Wemby

Timestamps: 04:44 – 09:21

• Victor Wembanyama’s Back-to-Back Struggles
  • Wemby fouled out with a line of 19 pts (5-14 FG).
  • “This is back-to-back rough games for him… even in his rookie year… next game, bounce back. We haven’t seen him put together a bad game and a mediocre game like this.” — Dave [05:11]
• Defensive Strategies Against Wemby
  • Zena: “Coaching staffs pass tape around… what Phoenix did against Wemby—making him uncomfortable, crowding his space… if you’re quick about it… you’re not going to get those calls.” [05:51]
  • Wemby’s frustration showed, but he “will have to find a way to fight through all of that because everyone’s got the tape.” [07:10]
• Luka Doncic’s Dominance
  • “Luka in this game, 35 points, had nine rebounds, 13 assists, five steals… two blocks. …The guy continues to just be on a tear.” — Dave [07:31]
  • Chemistry growing between Luka and Rui Hachimura was noted.
• Free Throw Frenzy
  • “There were 66 foul calls and 84 free throws… just too many fouls.” — Dave [08:16]
  • Zena: “The referees were the whole night just holding their ears waiting to see if Secaucus… what they thought of this call.” [08:29]
  • Disrupted rhythm for the Spurs; frustration on both sides.
• Refereeing Concerns:
  • Dave: “Let these guys play. Harrison Barnes… fouled out last night. He hasn’t fouled out since Jan 25, 2016.” [09:21]

3. Houston Rockets’ Hot Start – How High Can They Go? (w/ Will Guillory)

Timestamps: 13:26 – 25:16

• Rockets Vibes Are Immaculate
  • Will Guillory: “No, both of those guys [Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun] have been playing at an All-Star level… Shingun was an All-Star last year, and I think he’s been even better this year.” [15:13]
  • Chemistry and contributions from role players: “Jabari Smith has been really good. Joshua Kogi hit three threes… Steven Adams has been fantastic.” [15:24]
• Kevin Durant’s Integration
  • Durant not yet at ‘full KD’ but Rockets still winning: “That’s the scary part… because they’ve won five in a row… could easily be 6–1.” — Will [15:54]
• Amen Thompson’s Role Growing
  • Zena: “My question is… is there more of an opportunity to carve something out for him to be more of a primary scorer? Not just when you know KD’s not having a great night…” [16:35]
  • Will: “Amen Thompson is one of the craziest athletes I’ve ever seen on a basketball court… he makes them [other NBA athletes] look slow at times… the way he moves on the court is unlike what you see in the league.” [23:38]
• Houston’s Offensive Identity
  • “Last year, they were really good in transition and after offensive rebounds. When it came down to really slow down and execute, I think they struggled at times… what you saw in that Grizzlies game… even as [KD] was missing shots, the Grizzlies were still sending two, three bodies at him every time… that opened up stuff for everybody else.” — Will [17:42]
  • “Shangoon is so dangerous as a passer.” — Will [19:38]
• Offensive Rebounding at Historic Rates
  • Dave: “They’ve been grabbing like 40% of their offensive rebounds this season… that would be far and away more than anyone in NBA history.” [19:44]
  • Will: “Offensive rebounding is their formula… they want to grab a whole bunch of offensive rebounds… force you to size up against them.” [20:22]
• Shooting Limitations / Playoff Concerns
  • “The three-point volume for this team is going to be an issue at some point. …If they don’t figure out some shooting… I do worry that three-point volume is going to kind of bite them once they get to the playoffs.” — Dave [25:20]

Notable Quotes

• “Basketball does become a math problem, especially when you get to the playoffs, because those offensive rebounds that they’re relying on right now may not be there.” — Dave [25:20]
• On Amen Thompson: “He still feels like he’s got so much more room to grow with the jump shot, with his handle, learning how to actually run a team and be a true guard. …He had 28 against Memphis and I don’t think he took a tough shot the whole game.” — Will [24:08]

4. Memphis Grizzlies’ Listless Performances – What’s Happening?

Timestamps: 25:20 – 33:52

• Energy Crisis in Memphis
  • Will: “It felt like [Ja] was just kind of there, like he wasn’t really into the game… there wasn’t any point where it really felt like he tried to take over or inspire his teammates.” [26:52]
  • On Jaren Jackson Jr.: “Against Houston, Jaren Jackson had one shot attempt in the first half… finished with six in the game.” [27:44]
  • The Memphis crowd is trying to will Ja back: “Come on, Ja, you can do it. …trying to hype up Ja to be the Ja that they’re used to, and …they just don’t recognize this guy.” — Will [28:17]
• Deeper Offensive Dysfunction & Coaching Dilemma
  • Zena: “The whole team looks like they don’t know where they’re supposed to be. …I’m seeing everyone kind of looking like, I don’t know, raised hands. I’m not sure where I should be, where I should go, should I cut?” [30:36]
  • Dave: “It’s not just Ja. It’s just that we are used to seeing Ja at 11. And when we’re seeing Ja at like 3 and 4, and it’s not even the primary action with Ja…” [32:09]
  • Will: “NBA man, this is a star league and your role players follow the lead of your stars and the stars just aren’t doing enough right now.” [33:52]

Notable Quotes

• “It’s stunning to watch, because what we’ve known this Memphis Grizzly team for, especially at home, is they just kill you with their energy and their pace and the way they attack the paint. And it’s just gone now.” — Will [29:11]
• “Maybe Desmond Bain was sort of the glue.” — Dave [32:33]
• “They’ve gone back to 100 pick and rolls, everything going through Ja. And now we’re saying the offense is stagnant.” — Will [33:31]

Segment Timestamps Guide

• Thunder/Blazers Recap: 02:17–04:43
• Lakers/Spurs/Wemby/Luka: 04:44–09:21
• Rockets Analysis w/Will Guillory: 13:26–25:16
• Memphis Grizzlies Dilemma: 25:20–33:52

Memorable Moments & Closing Notes

• “Dribbling is a key part of basketball, it turns out.” — Will, poking fun at Dallas’ guard issues [23:37]
• The dynamic between gritty young teams (Portland), rising squads (Houston), and struggling stars (Memphis) framed much of the panel’s discussion.
• Extensive, nuanced discussion on why Houston’s offensive rebounding and size have been so dominant — but why they might need to shoot more threes to reach a true contender’s ceiling.
• Vivid, honest analysis of Memphis’ malaise, with both hosts and Will Guillory peeling back layers of both Xs and Os and team psychology.

Summary Tone:
Conversational, analytical, warm – with hosts balancing detailed stats, candid player observations, and lighthearted banter for every level of NBA fan.