The Athletic NBA Daily – March 24, 2026

Episode: J Dub returns for OKC + Are the Lakers title contenders?

Hosts: Dave DuFour, Esfandiar Baraheni (“S”), with Dan Woike

Episode Overview

This episode covers a high-energy NBA Monday night, focusing on the Oklahoma City Thunder’s blowout win against the Sixers with the return of Jalen Williams (J Dub), an analysis of Victor Wembanyama’s incredible impact, surprising results around the league, and a deep dive into the Lakers’ playoff outlook with Dan Woike. The conversation features game analysis, MVP debate, team chemistry, and the playoff picture as the season nears its climax.

Key Discussion Points

Jalen Williams (J Dub) Returns: Thunder Dominate Sixers

• Thunder 123, Sixers 103
  • Jalen Williams returns, playing 20 minutes: 18 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds (8/14 FG)
  • OKC’s wing depth and offensive versatility highlighted
  • Validation that Williams’ presence immediately raises the team’s ceiling
• Analysis of J Dub’s Impact
  • “He looked awesome. He looked exactly like the J Dub that we saw last year become an all NBA and all defense level player.” – S (03:48)
  • Importance of having another wing ball handler; his facilitation diversifies lineups, especially when SGA is off the court
  • Thunder’s expanded shooting and ball-handling options compared to previous year

Wembanyama Watch: Spurs Blow Out Heat

• Spurs 136, Heat 111
  • Victor Wembanyama: 26 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 blocks
  • Defensive dominance alters opponents’ game plans, changes the calculus of NBA play
• Rule Change Discussion and MVP Candidacy
  • “We’re gonna have to make some rule changes or something because what he is doing on the defensive end is really hard to quantify...” – Dave (06:04)
  • “He is as good defensively as Shay is on offense or Jokic is on offense. Like, that’s how good of a defender Wemby is.” – S (07:41)
  • Young MVP candidates: Wemby likely to finish top-3
  • Discussion of Wembanyama as a once-in-a-generation “mythological” figure, akin to peak Kareem, Wilt, or Jordan

Bad Beats: Magic and Rockets Lose Ugly

• Indiana Pacers snap 16-game losing streak by beating the Magic
  • Noted as a shock given Pacers’ recent form
• Bulls’ Big Comeback Over Rockets: 132–124
  • Rockets’ 20-point first quarter lead squandered
  • Durant scores 40 in the loss; Alperen Sengun with a 33-point triple-double
  • Lack of bench depth and repeated ugly losses cast doubt on Rockets’ playoff hopes
  • “If you have to go to the lengths of playing KD, 40 minutes… and you can’t really trust your depth... I just, I question the optionality.” – S (11:55)

Deep Dive: Are the Lakers Title Contenders?

With Special Guest: Dan Woike (The Athletic)

[Segment begins ~15:31]

Lakers’ Recent Form & Winning Streak

• Nine-game winning streak snapped by Pistons (113–110 loss)
  • “This is a much different team and I would even say this was a much different loss than we would have seen out of them a few months ago.” – Dave (16:14)
• What Changed?
  • Health: The Lakers’ best stretch of roster continuity this year
  • Clear roles & coaching: JJ Redick and the staff’s clarity in responsibilities; LeBron’s role acceptance as “third option”
    • “Credit to LeBron James for real clear role acceptance when it comes to being... the quote unquote, third option. Shot volume is way down. Winning plays around the margins are way up...” – Dan Woike (18:14)
  • Luka Doncic’s peak form: “Luka Doncic has been incredible. Like, has just been on an otherworldly heater.” – Dan Woike (19:06)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Austin Reaves anecdote on team resilience

  • “Two months ago... we lose by a hundred.” – Austin Reaves (quoting Dan, 16:49)
  • Emphasizing the team’s newfound resilience compared to January

• LeBron James as ultimate team player

  • Accepts “third option” status, remains impactful without scoring
  • Steps up with key defensive plays and assists when not scoring

• Team Chemistry & Mentality

  • “They sort of seem like a team that knows how to play together now. And that hasn’t been true for much of the season... they seem like a team that likes playing together now... this is a group that is happy for whoever did the good thing.” – Dan Woike (21:07‐22:47)
  • Citing the Thunder’s positive chemistry as a model

The Playoff Picture and Expectations

• Lakers now control their destiny for the 3-seed in the West
• Upgrades on defense and chemistry boost their ceiling
• Challenges remain: new roles/new lineup structure still untested in playoffs
• “I think they view their ceiling as being higher than it was a year ago... but they understand that they still have, like, low samples kind of working against them” – Dan Woike (20:32)

Vibes & Close Games

• “There wasn’t any finger pointing after the game.” (23:45)
• Lakers’ improvement at closing out tight contests; more resilient, less prone to falling apart during scoring droughts

MVP Race: As Tight as Ever

[Notable Segment: 24:02–28:02]

• Luka Doncic’s Case

  • 33 PPG, 8 RPG, 8 APG—historic Lakers season
  • “He’s been a more willing passer. He’s playing with more trust for his teammates. His teammates have responded.” – Dan Woike (25:22)
  • Acknowledges valley in December but stellar since mid-January

• Historic Company

  • “I think he’s absolutely in the top four... I think it’s probably closer than people who haven’t been watching lately realize.” – Dan Woike (26:49)

• Overall MVP Discussion

  • Jokic, SGA, Wembanyama, Luka as consensus top-four
  • “Victor Wembanyama is breaking my brain. I’m trying to figure out, does the league need to change some sort of defensive rule to counteract what he’s able to do physically?” – Dave (27:07)
  • Comparison to loaded 2017–2018 race

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jalen Williams’ Return & Thunder Segment: 03:22–05:43
• Wembanyama/Spurs Segment + MVP Race: 05:43–09:41, more MVP at 24:02–28:02
• Magic/Pacers, Rockets/Bulls Breakdown: 10:04–12:32
• Lakers’ Contender Status & Team Chemistry (Guest: Dan Woike): 15:31–32:24

Memorable Quotes

• “He looked awesome. He looked exactly like the J Dub that we saw last year…” – S, 03:48
• “We’re gonna have to make some rule changes or something because what [Wembanyama] is doing on the defensive end is really hard to quantify...” – Dave, 06:04
• “He is as good defensively as Shay is on offense or Jokic is on offense. Like, that’s how good of a defender Wemby is.” – S, 07:41
• “Credit to LeBron James for real clear role acceptance when it comes to being… the quote unquote, third option. Shot volume is way down. Winning plays around the margins are way up.” – Dan Woike, 18:14
• “There are just vibes right now. And look, it’d be hard to be a team that wins nine games in a row and have crappy vibes.” – Dan Woike, 23:25

Conclusion & Takeaways

• Thunder Ascendent: With J Dub’s return, OKC’s offense and lineup flexibility improve dramatically.
• Wembanyama’s Singular Impact: His defensive prowess continues to defy traditional measures; a top-tier MVP candidate at 22.
• Rockets’ Playoff Woes Continue: Weak depth, bad losses cast shadow.
• Lakers Have Arrived: Health, defined roles, and team chemistry fuel an elite stretch, Luka Doncic performing at MVP level, and LeBron thriving as a supportive star.
• The MVP Race: As close and compelling as the league has seen in years, with generational talent at the forefront.

For full analysis and game-by-game insight, catch future episodes of The Athletic NBA Daily.