The Athletic NBA Daily – March 12, 2026

Episode Theme:
Is this Kawhi Leonard's best season? Plus, playoff contenders update, and an Orlando Magic deep-dive with Josh Robbins.

Main Theme Overview

The episode spotlights Kawhi Leonard’s remarkable recent performances for the Clippers and debates whether this is his best season yet. Co-hosts Dave DuFour and Zena Keita analyze the Clippers’ playoff outlook, key Western Conference games, and the surging Orlando Magic—with special guest Josh Robbins providing inside perspective. The show also delivers in-depth commentary on playoff implications, notable player comebacks, and the state of tanking teams like the Washington Wizards.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kawhi Leonard’s “Best Season” and the New-Look Clippers

• Kawhi’s Historic Night: Kawhi dropped 45 points against the Wolves—his fifth 40+ point game this season, extending his 20-point game streak (03:30).
• Context: Clipper’s win comes despite the team being just above .500 and in the play-in zone—yet, as DuFour highlights, no team wants to face this current Clippers squad in an elimination game:

  “This is some of the best basketball that Kawhi Leonard has maybe ever played...He looks fantastic right now, and the Clippers have no real hope of getting out of the play-in...But man, I would not want to play the Clippers with Kawhi Leonard looking like this.” (03:44 – Dave DuFour)

• Surrounding Cast Stepping Up:
  • Derrick Jones Jr., Jordan Miller, and Benedict Matherin contribute energetically.
  • Brook Lopez stretches the floor; Darius Garland (21 points) is rounding into form (05:35).
• Youth and Speed: Clippers feel “so much younger” post-trade, playing faster and more efficiently (06:00).
• Notable Quote:

  “It is so weird to think that we're saying this after the departure of James Harden and Ivica Zubac...But Kawhi Leonard is such a force you cannot deny. It feels like all of the Clippers are raising to the level of what Kawhi needs.” (04:29 – Zena Keita)

• Playoff Outlook: Despite middling season-long stats, recent games have Clippers top 10 in net rating, showing marked improvement and making them a potential surprise in the playoffs (06:28).

2. Denver Nuggets Dominate, Rockets and Raptors Falter

• Denver–Houston Recap: Nuggets decisively beat Rockets (129–93), showcasing their full-strength starting lineup.
  • Jamal Murray: 30 points.
  • Nikola Jokic: Efficient triple-double (16p/12r/13a/5s/1b).
  • Christian Braun: Standout bench performance (09:41).
• Houston’s Issues: Exhaustion on back-to-back nights; lack of size and poor three-point shooting (4-of-33).
• Pelicans Outplay Raptors:
  • Raptors slide to 6th, trailing Magic.
  • Zion Williamson impressively playing 50 games and continues healthy stretch.
  • Dejounte Murray has best post-Achilles game (27p/6a/2s).
  • Trey Murphy and Herb Jones added crucial shooting and defense (10:59).
• Notable Moment:

  “This is kind of what we wanted to see. This is that starting unit we’ve been waiting all year to see full strength... and they finally really put it all together last night.” (07:23 – Dave DuFour)

3. Orlando Magic: Playoff Readiness & Roster Analysis (w/ Josh Robbins)

[Segment Starts: 15:38]

• Magic Move Up: Now 5th seed after beating Cleveland 128–122; possible first-round matchup preview.
• Ideal Opponent Debate:
  • Robbins prefers Detroit as a matchup for Orlando due to easier defensive focus (17:11).
  • Cleveland next best, Knicks the toughest (17:11).
• Orlando’s Strengths and Weaknesses:
  • Paolo Banchero showing growth, improving defensively and overcoming a nagging groin injury (19:40).
  • Team is 7–3 without Franz Wagner, showing adaptability, but Robbins notes they're definitively better with him (20:44).
  • Magic struggle with dependable three-point shooting, especially with projected starting five; playoff slowdowns could expose this (20:45, 21:45).
  • Tristan Da Silva and Jett Howard (off the bench) bring needed shooting; Desmond Bane provides improved offensive creation, though spacing concerns remain (23:51).
  • Jalen Suggs named as the team’s “ultimate X factor”—if he’s healthy, Magic’s ceiling rises due to his defense and infectious energy (26:32 and 27:14).
• Memorable Quotes:

  “You better have at least three people on the court at all times who you can count on to hit 38% or more of wide open threes. And when they’re fully healthy, they’re not quite there...It’s the same old problem they’ve had.” (22:53 – Josh Robbins) “Jalen Suggs...is their force multiplier.” (26:32 – Josh Robbins)

• Playoff Viability: Defensive excellence is necessary, but offense—especially shot-making—will decide their fate.

  “You got to hit shots come playoff time, unless you’re playing against a subpar offensive team yourself.” (25:26 – Josh Robbins)

4. Tanking and the Washington Wizards’ Future

[Segment Starts: 27:24]

• Wizards in Transition:
  • Trae Young has real instant impact as creator; young players like Tre Johnson benefit (28:12).
  • Next year, with Young’s playmaking and A.D. (Anthony Davis?) potentially in the fold, Robbins predicts a major boost in open shot opportunities.
• Bam Adebayo’s 83-Point Game:
  • Wizards’ defensive effort on Bam was “atrocious,” high-profile embarrassment a byproduct of tanking (28:53).
  • “If you’re a tanking team, you’re putting yourself in line to be humiliated. Now, not to the tune of 83 points...but when you’re tanking... you’re setting yourself up and your young guys to be embarrassed in some way.” (29:44 – Josh Robbins)
  • Team adjustments and pride issues discussed as symptoms of league parity being artificially compressed by tanking.
• Outlook for 2027:
  • Could the Wizards be next year’s Hornets? Scouts are mixed, but the addition of star players and a “try to win” mentality could push them toward playoff contention.

  “Maybe it’s possible...that they will be...better next year than they've shown because they're going to be trying to win games.” (33:32 – Josh Robbins)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Kawhi’s Level:
  “This is some of the best basketball that Kawhi Leonard has maybe ever played. Yeah, and that’s not hyperbole.” (03:36, Dave DuFour)
• Clippers’ Vibe Post-Harden & Zubac:
  “We immediately thought, oh, they're clearing out the cupboards... But Kawhi Leonard is such a force... all of the Clippers are raising to the level of what Kawhi needs.” (04:29, Zena Keita)
• Jokic's Quiet Dominance:
  “It’s a good night for him because he only had 16 points. His triple double. Right.” (08:07, Dave DuFour)
• On Tanking Risks:
  “If you’re a tanking team, you’re putting yourself in line to be humiliated... you’re setting yourself up and your young guys to be embarrassed in some way. And this is where it came back to really bite them.” (29:44, Josh Robbins)

Important Timestamps

• 02:34 — Opening banter, jumping straight to recaps (after ad break).
• 03:30 — Unpacking Kawhi Leonard’s 45-point game and extraordinary run.
• 05:35 — Clippers looking "younger" and new energy post-trade.
• 06:28 — Clippers’ statistical surge, net rating context.
• 07:23 — Nuggets’ dominant showing against Houston.
• 10:59 — Raptors–Pelicans; New Orleans' health and playoff ceiling.
• 15:38 — Orlando Magic segment starts; Josh Robbins joins.
• 17:11 — Debate on Orlando’s best playoff matchups.
• 19:40 — Magic’s resiliency and Paolo’s emergence.
• 22:53 — Orlando’s three-point shooting dilemma.
• 23:51 — Desmond Bane’s importance to Orlando’s offense.
• 26:32 — Discussion on Jalen Suggs as the under-the-radar “X Factor.”
• 27:24 — Wizards' segment; tanking lessons, Bam’s 83 points.
• 29:44 — The real cost of tanking and its impact on young players.
• 33:32 — Projecting the Wizards’ ceiling for next season.

Episode Takeaways

• Kawhi Leonard is at or near his career best—though the Clippers’ standings don’t reflect his individual brilliance, they’re suddenly a threat in the West.
• The Clippers, despite high-profile departures, are now a faster, more energetic, and cohesive team—a testament to their coaching and Kawhi’s leadership.
• Denver and New Orleans demonstrate the power of health and depth as the playoffs approach, while Houston and Toronto struggle with key weaknesses.
• The Orlando Magic are one of the league’s best stories: surprisingly resilient without their stars but ultimately needing a healthy lineup and better shooting for playoff advancement. Jalen Suggs’ two-way impact could determine their postseason fate.
• Tanking's dark side is exposed by the Wizards’ recent humbling loss and long-term reputation risks, but the future could brighten with a healthy star core and young prospects.

For full season context and deeper statistical breakdowns, check out Josh Robbins’ coverage on The Athletic and The NBA Daily’s upcoming playoff preview episodes.