The Athletic NBA Daily — April 2, 2026
Episode: MVP Deep Dive + Steph Curry’s Return
Hosts: Dave DuFour, Zena Cata, Sam Amick

Overview

This episode of The Athletic NBA Daily dives deep into the red-hot MVP race—primarily focusing on Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA), and Luka Doncic—and unpacks Steph Curry’s upcoming return for the struggling Warriors. The hosts also tackle the significant news surrounding Jaden Ivey's release from the Bulls under troubling circumstances. Regular panel: Dave DuFour, Zena Cata, and Sam Amick, with candid discussion, insider insight, and a dash of humor.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. MVP Race Heating Up

[03:43–15:26]

• Victor Wembanyama’s Push

  • Sam Amick reiterates his earlier stance: Wemby could only seriously challenge SGA for MVP if the Spurs earn the 1-seed, highlighting how voters’ minds often require a dramatic narrative swing to unseat a frontrunner.
  • “The thing I love…is that it feels like Wemby is pushing the whole group… if you’re SGA and you were giving any thought to coasting… you look up and you’re like, ‘Alright, I’m about to lose another Michael Jordan trophy if I do that.’” — Sam Amick [05:25]
  • Wembanyama has been “doing some serious work” lately, scoring 41 against Chicago and making his case with public statements.
  • Wemby is portrayed as not "too cool for school," actively campaigning for himself without arrogance (Zena Cata: [06:47]).

• Players’ Approach to the Conversation

  • SGA and Luka both deflect public MVP campaigning but do so with their own style and confidence:
    • “SGA…says, ‘No, I let my play speak for itself’—even that was slick enough…a fun moment.” — Sam Amick [08:16]
    • “Luka got asked about it…he took a pass too…said, you know, that he feels like they've been winning and that's the only statement he's going to make.” — Sam Amick [08:33]

• Defense as a Topic in MVP Voting

  • Wembanyama’s impact on defense is reframing how media and fans view MVP candidacies.
  • Draymond Green’s support for Wembanyama’s emphasis on defense: “He loved it because he agreed with it, and he hated it because it shouldn't have to be said that defense is half of the game.” — Sam Amick [10:43]
  • SGA and Luka’s defensive improvements are noted, with SGA defending at “near All-NBA level” and Luka showing real growth ([10:59] – [11:27]).

• Luka Doncic’s Incredible March

  • Luka scored 600 points in March; he’s on a historic run, tallying as many 40-point games as he has technical fouls this year—16 (Zena Cata: [14:46]).
  • The Lakers’ trade for Luka looks increasingly lopsided, especially after recent comments by Mark Cuban ([12:11] – [13:50]).
  • “Luka has a legit shot at MVP—I think there’s no doubt that he has dragged a subpar Lakers roster to the three seed…” — Dave Dufour [11:52]
  • “It’s a group of four—1, 1A, 1B, 1C to some degree.” — Sam Amick [12:11]
  • Historic perspective: Wilt had 62 consecutive 30+ point games; Luka’s at 13 now ([15:00]).

2. Steph Curry’s Impending Return

[18:04–24:22]

• Curry is expected to play Sunday after being sidelined since January 30.

• Dave questions the logic of bringing Curry back for a likely lost-cause play-in push, but Sam and Zena both defend the decision:

  • “He's a competitor and he wants to compete. Why’s it gotta be any more complicated than that?” — Sam Amick [19:11]
  • Missing almost an entire calendar year of real NBA games is not something Curry wants as he ages.
  • The return offers valuable “tape” to evaluate the Curry–Porzingis pairing before Porzingis hits free agency ([22:23]).

• The panel frames the Warriors’ motives in both short and long-term terms:

  • Short-term: Give fans a show and see if lightning strikes in the play-in.
  • Long-term: Gather roster data, respect a dynasty’s pride, and reinforce organizational loyalty by supporting star input ([22:23]).

3. Jaden Ivey’s Release and NBA’s Mental Health Landscape

[24:22–29:46]

• Bulls released Jaden Ivey for “conduct detrimental to the team” following discriminatory and concerning remarks on social media.

• Sam outlines league-wide reactions:

  • “Once you are incredibly discriminatory towards any individual group, it's just not tolerated in a workplace.” — Sam Amick [25:08]
  • Recognizes that star status can affect how discipline is handled, citing the Kyrie Irving situation as comparison ([25:54]).
  • Reports indicate no red flags pre-draft; Ivey grew more outspoken during his Detroit tenure.

• The conversation pivots to broader issues of mental health:

  • “All we know is…the things that he is saying is hurtful…put a circle around this man…before it gets even worse.” — Zena Cata [27:39]
  • Sam references the NBA's progress since the days of Royce White—improved, but not solved ([28:57]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If the spurs get to the one seed, it’s the only way you can really make the case for Wemby over SGA…that is going to compel and force people to reevaluate Victor.” — Sam Amick [04:00]
• “Wemby is not disrespecting any of his peers with the way he frames his own candidacy.” — Sam Amick [07:16]
• “SGA was asked by Tim McMahon…he says, ‘No, I let my play speak for itself.’ Even that was like a slick enough statement…” — Sam Amick [08:12]
• “Luka has as many 40-point games as he has technical fouls this season: 16.” — Zena Cata [14:46]
• “Once you are incredibly discriminatory towards any individual group, it’s just not tolerated in a workplace.” — Sam Amick [25:08]
• “I like the fact that if Steph wants to play, they’re going to have him play.” — Sam Amick [24:16]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• MVP Race Deep Dive – Wemby vs. SGA, Defense, Luka’s March: [03:43]–[15:26]
• Steph Curry’s Return: Is it Worth It? [18:04]–[24:22]
• Jaden Ivey’s Release & Mental Health Discussion: [24:22]–[29:46]

Tone and Style

• Conversational, humorous, and occasionally nostalgic, especially when comparing today’s storylines to NBA history.
• Hosts do not shy away from tough or uncomfortable issues, including athlete mental health and public relations crises, while remaining fair and empathetic.

Summary Prepared For:
Listeners seeking sharp insight on the 2026 MVP race, fans of Steph Curry and the shifting fate of the Warriors, and anyone concerned with the intersection of athlete conduct, social media, and mental health in the NBA. This episode offers great context, real reporting, and a human touch.