The Athletic NBA Daily – January 20, 2026

Episode: Changes for the Knicks?

Main Theme

This episode of The Athletic NBA Daily, hosted by Dave DuFour and Zena Keita with guest Hunter Patterson, focuses on significant shifts in the NBA: Jimmy Butler’s injury and its ramifications for the Warriors, the Knicks' struggles and possible moves including a Carl Anthony Towns trade, the impact of key player dynamics, reactions to the All-Star starter announcements, and an in-depth look at the Pistons’ statement win over the Celtics.

Key Discussion Points

1. Jimmy Butler’s Injury and Implications for the Warriors

(01:44 - 06:58)

• Butler’s Injury: Jimmy Butler left the Warriors-Heat game with a knee injury ("...he landed awkwardly on one leg and his knee kind of buckled beneath him. He had to be helped off the court by a couple of guys. Did not look good." – Dave, 02:18)
• Warriors’ Response: With no immediate medical updates, the hosts discuss short-term options, mostly relying on bench depth and filling the void.
  • Zena points out: “The bench for the Warriors has been their saving grace this season. They're third in points per game right now.” (03:25)
  • The team needs to find 20 points/game and significant defense lost with Butler.
  • Options include De’Anthony Melton (just coming back from ACL tear) and young players like Brandin Podziemski.
  • Discussion around potential acceleration of trade talks for Jonathan Kuminga, who was a DNP-CD even after Butler’s injury.
• Quote:
  • Dave: “If he has to miss the rest of the season...their season's done.” (02:59)
  • Zena (on Kuminga): “I'm wishful thinking that we could potentially see Jonathan in a Warriors jersey on the court once before he ends up wherever he ends up.” (06:15)

2. Knicks’ Struggles, Booing, and Potential Changes

(06:58 - 12:08)

• Recent Performance: Knicks are 2–9 in last 11, crushed by the Mavericks at MSG (“they got stomped...the game was really over at halftime.” – Dave, 07:03)
• Fan Reaction: The team was heavily booed at home.
• Trade Rumors: Steve Popper (Newsday) reports the Knicks are shopping Karl-Anthony Towns.
  • Core concern: Brunson and Towns are both porous defensively; together they’re a defensive liability.
• System or Roster Problem?
  • Referencing NBATV’s pregame, Melo and Tracy McGrady debate if it’s the system or the roster.
  • Knicks switched coaches (Mike Brown in, Thibodeau out) to maximize Brunson-Towns pairing, but problems persist.
  • Offensive woes: “Knicks have been 25th in offensive rating [in last 10]. ...They’ve not been great all season defensively.” – Zena, 08:44
  • Brunson’s injury hurt, but Towns isn’t making an impact in Brown’s high-motion system.
  • Mitchell Robinson’s absence as a defensive anchor is noted.
• Band-Aid with Thibs?
  • DuFour: “He was slapping a bandaid over a lot of glaring problems by playing guys 40 minutes a night.” (10:30)
  • “Unless you can find...the magical player. Can you clone Rudy Gobert and put him next to Karl Anthony Towns?...I just don't see how it's going to work.” (11:28)
• Upcoming Trade Deadline: The hosts expect major moves, especially given these issues.

3. All-Star Starters Announced: Debates and Reflections

(12:13 - 16:15)

• Eastern Conference Starters: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Tyrese Maxey, Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, Jaylen Brown.
  • No arguments from the hosts about the East's selections.
• Western Conference Starters: Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, Stephen Curry, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama (Wemby wins tiebreaker vs. Anthony Edwards via fan vote).
  • Zena: “I feel a little strange about the fact that Ant man ain't in there. ...If your own competition is giving you the credit to say you are the fourth best player in the west, that to me means...you deserve the starter spot.” (13:15)
  • DuFour acknowledges the “legend tax” keeping Curry as a starter (14:18).
• Notable Moment:
  • First time in 21 years LeBron James is not a starter.
    • “That's a crazy streak.” – Zena (14:53)
    • “He can take a little break. He'll come off the bench.” – Dave (15:07)
• World vs. USA All-Star Format:
  • Five world players start; the hosts agree the world team “is going to destroy the US Team. ...This format is going to go away.” (15:42)
  • Zena: “This world team has seven MVPs combined in that group. ...The US team is smaller, like significantly smaller in size.” (15:42)

4. Pistons Outmuscle the Celtics: A Statement Win

(17:15 - 26:18)

Segment with Pistons reporter Hunter Patterson

• Game Recap: Pistons beat Celtics 104–103; felt like a playoff environment despite being regular season.
  • “This was a defensive battle that felt like it was the playoffs...these two teams really were going hard.” – Dave (17:15)
• Pistons’ Defense:
  • Boston, usually averaging 24 assists, had only 13.
  • Detroit’s depth and defensive energy highlighted — “Ron Holland is coming off the bench, giving you contributions on the defensive end. ...they all want to compete on the defensive end.” – Hunter (20:08)
  • Cade Cunningham had 14 assists (more than the entire Celtics team) and didn’t turn the ball over.
    • “He himself had more assists than the Celtics did as a team, and he didn't turn the ball over once.” – Hunter (21:47)
• Tobias Harris’s Steadiness:
  • Described as coach Bickerstaff’s “security blanket”; provides experience and stability for a young team.
    • “He cherishes being able to be the security blanket, the Unk...” – Hunter (22:59)
• Pistons’ Emergence:
  • At 31–10, the best team in the East (“We've been not giving it to them all year. I think after this win, at the halfway mark, they're 31 and 10...they’re the best team in the East.” – Dave, 24:20)
  • Players remain humble: “This is our first time not being losers in the NBA pretty consistently. ...We have so much of the losing streak in the back of our head that they never feel quite like they made it.” – Hunter (25:07)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Butler’s Injury:
  • Dave: “If he has to miss the rest of the season...their season’s done.” (02:59)
• On Warriors Bench:
  • Zena: “The bench for the Warriors has been their saving grace this season. They're third in points per game right now.” (03:25)
• On Knicks’ Core Flaws:
  • Dave: “Their two best players cannot defend. ...I just don't think this is tenable. Something has to change.” (07:57)
• On All-Star Starters:
  • Zena: “If your own competition is giving you the credit...that to me means you are the [player] I want to see on any given night.” (13:15)
  • Dave: “First time in 21 years that LeBron James is not an All Star starter.” (14:40)
• On World vs. USA Teams:
  • Dave: “The world team is going to destroy the US Team. It is not going to be close.” (15:42)
• On Pistons Surpassing Expectations:
  • Hunter: “This is our first time not being losers in the NBA pretty consistently...We can't get comfortable anywhere we are.” (25:07)
• On Cade Cunningham’s Impact:
  • Hunter: “He himself had more assists than the Celtics did as a team, and he didn't turn the ball over once.” (21:47)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Jimmy Butler Injury/Warriors Impact: 01:44 – 06:58
• Knicks' Recent Troubles/CAT Trade Discussion: 06:58 – 12:08
• All-Star Starters Announced: 12:13 – 16:15
• Pistons vs. Celtics Postgame/Hunter Patterson Interview: 17:15 – 26:18

Summary

This episode delivers a rapid yet rich survey of current NBA turbulence, spotlighting the Warriors’ uncertainty after Jimmy Butler’s injury and their reliance on bench depth, the Knicks’ acute systemic and defensive failings possibly leading to a blockbuster trade, and the league-wide debate over All-Star starter selections—highlighting evolving power between US and international NBA stars. In a standout segment, Hunter Patterson brings vivid insight into the defensive tenacity and resolve of the surging Detroit Pistons, now surprising leaders of the Eastern Conference, cementing their transformation from persistent losers to perennial contenders. The exchanges blend stats, insider perspectives, and candid analysis, making this a must-listen for fans tracking on-court and off-court NBA storylines.