The Athletic NBA Daily: Pacers Embarrass Knicks + Rockets Offensive Struggles
Date: February 11, 2026
Hosts: Dave DuFour, Esfandiar Baraheni (Es), Guest: Kelly Iko

Episode Overview

This episode breaks down a dispiriting overtime loss for the surging New York Knicks against the Indiana Pacers, highlights Victor Wembanyama’s explosive night against an undermanned Lakers squad, and dives into the Houston Rockets’ offensive identity crisis, featuring expert insights from Yahoo Sports reporter Kelly Iko. The hosts analyze trends, raise concerns about playoff sustainability for both the Knicks and Rockets, and speculate on potential roster adjustments as the All-Star break approaches.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Knicks Suffer Letdown Overtime Loss to Pacers

[01:57–05:25]

• Loss Details: Knicks fall to the Pacers 137-134 in OT, snapping a hot 9-1 run.
• Fatigue & Roster Issues: Missing OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson, their offense looked "lackadaisical" and lacked depth and rim protection.
• Overtime Fumble: Knicks failed to score in the first four OT minutes; late comeback fizzles.
• Defensive Troubles: Aaron Nesmith contained Jalen Brunson ("locked up" in key stretches despite Brunson scoring 40).
• Carl Anthony Towns Critique: Fouled out and home broadcasters openly criticized his play and persistent fouling complaints.
• Implications: Loss exposes persistent issues from last year—questionable late-game shot quality and over-reliance on individual heroics.
• Schedule Concern: First of a back-to-back, next vs. 76ers—rest plans now in disarray.
• Quote – Esfandiar:
  "A loss like this kind of reminds you of some of the flaws of this team in terms of the shot quality down the stretch." [04:58]
• Quote – Dave:
  "The Knicks are also on this sort of tightrope when it comes to their depth because when they lose OG and Mitchell Robinson, they lose their defense. Like, it is done." [05:28]

2. Wembanyama's Electrifying Night vs. Lakers

[06:05–08:25]

• Game Context: Spurs beat a Lakers team resting all key players; Wemby still steals the show.
• Statline: Only 26 minutes, 40 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals, a block, multiple assists.
• Historic Pace: 25 points in just 8 first-quarter minutes.
• Hosts Lament Reduced Minutes: Fun to think about Wemby pushing for a 60+ or 70-point game ("would be more fun though if we put up like 90 points" – [08:25] Dave).
• Quote – Esfandiar:
  "25 points in eight minutes. It doesn't make sense. He was a man on the mission." [07:44]
• Injury Caution: Hosts glad the Spurs exercised caution given Wemby’s prior knee issues.

3. LeBron James' Historic Streak Ends

[06:15–06:31]

• Notable Moment: LeBron misses his 18th game of the season, making him ineligible for All-NBA honors for the first time in 21 years.
• Quote – Dave:
  "For the first time in 21 seasons, he's not going to make all NBA." [06:19]
• Brief nostalgia about LeBron's unprecedented consistency.

4. Jason Tatum Injury Update

[08:25–10:09]

• Recovery Progress: Tatum practised five-on-five, but no clear return timeline.
• Playoff Speculation: Possible return ahead of postseason; hosts recall Dominique Wilkins’ swift post-Achilles comeback as a parallel.
• Quote – Dave:
  "I mean, it feels like we might be building up to a big coming back moment." [09:13]

5. Houston Rockets: Beating Clippers but Facing Systemic Offensive Issues (with Kelly Iko)

[14:00–30:29]

a) Rockets-Clippers Game Insight

[14:00–15:45]

• Weakened Opponent: Clippers down key players; win doesn't transform Rockets’ fortunes, but any W counts before the break.
• Quote – Kelly Iko:
  "Frankly, this is not a good Clippers team on paper right now...but a win is a win in the Western Conference." [14:43]

b) Rockets’ Three-Point Shooting Problem

[15:45–18:02]

• Low Volume, Occasional Accuracy: 14 makes on 28 attempts vs. Clippers. System won't shift to more threes.
• Personnel Issues: Shingun reluctant beyond the arc; double-big lineups remain central despite injuries.
• Mathematical Problem: Low 3PT attempts can create playoff “math problem” against high-volume opponents.
• Quote – Kelly Iko:
  "This is a math game now and I think for tonight you hit, what was it, 14 threes...But in terms of consistency, you have to play a system..." [17:15]

c) Failure to Modernize Offense

[19:22–21:25]

• Pace & Style: 25th in time to shot; deliberate offense, light on pick-and-roll usage, bottom 10 frequency.
• Possible Adjustments: More P&R with Kevin Durant as initiator; considering small-ball lineups with Jabari Smith at the 5; more aggressiveness from Reed Sheppard.
• Quote – Kelly Iko:
  "If you want to speed things up, get them a little bit more modern. You need high pick a roll and put the ball in Kevin's hands." [20:24]

d) Depth and Playoff Ceiling Doubts

[24:45–26:27]

• Rockets Not True Contenders: Labeled a "second round out" due to halfcourt and three-point issues.
• Quote – Kelly Iko:
  "Do I see the Rockets as real contenders right now? No. But I think they're very strong. Tier 2 and in the playoffs, anything can happen." [25:02]

e) Late-Game and Playmaking Woes

[26:27–28:15]

• Clutch-Time Offense: Regresses to isolation; desperately misses Fred VanVleet’s decision-making.
• Fred’s Health: 5% chance he returns in postseason, but team holds onto hope.
• Quote – Kelly Iko:
  "Fred is tough as nails and he understands that this team needs him...he's the organizer, leg games, he can get guys in those shots." [26:50]

f) Trade Deadline Inactivity & Buyout Market

[28:15–30:29]

• Reason for No Deals: Didn’t want to block development of Reed/Amen Thompson, but open to a buyout market addition (Chris Paul, Cole Anthony floated).
• Organizational Need: More shot creation and offensive organization, not just scoring.
• Hosts Express Doubt Over Buyout Help: "How often do buyout guys come in and help? Right? Like it's never." – [18:04] Dave
• Quote – Kelly Iko:
  "If you have someone that can come in...and get guys quick shots, I think that would be a help. Now, going back to the whole do bio guys actually help? That's, you know...what you're describing is Chris Paul, though." [29:00]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dave (on Wemby):
  "It would be more fun though if we put up like 90 points. Yeah...I need most history because I don't know if we can trust that 100 point game." [08:25]

• Esfandiar (on Knicks):
  "It looked like it was, hey, Jalen Brunson, please save us. Hey, Carl Anthony Towns, please save us. And some of the same offensive issues that we saw last year were rearing its head tonight." [05:12]

• Kelly Iko (on Rockets’ system):
  "This is a math game now...a low volume three-point shooting team, typically you have to be exceptional at everything else if you're not going to shoot a ton of threes." [17:15]

• Dave (on Rockets' prospects):
  "They're on a tightrope...they're a good second round out." [24:58, consensus with Kelly Iko]

• Kelly Iko (on Fred VanVleet):
  "Fred is tough as nails and he understands that this team needs him. And I know you heard Alpern talk about the difference between last year and this year was Fred and he's the organizer leg games." [26:50]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Knicks-Pacers review: [01:57–05:25]
• Wembanyama’s performance/Lakers: [06:05–08:25]
• LeBron All-NBA streak ends: [06:15–06:31]
• Jason Tatum comeback update: [08:25–10:09]
• Rockets’ Clippers win & three-point problem: [14:00–18:02]
• Offensive system/modernization debate: [19:22–21:25]
• Small-ball options & bench rotation: [22:14–24:00]
• Western Conference ceiling for Rockets: [24:45–26:27]
• Fred VanVleet's impact and playoff return hope: [26:27–28:15]
• Deadline inactivity, buyout speculation: [28:15–30:29]

Tone and Style

The episode moves briskly, mixing sharp game analysis with witty banter and a dash of nostalgia. The hosts highlight concerning trends for both teams, with Esfandiar providing analytics-driven skepticism and Dave offering pragmatic, sometimes sardonic, insights. Guest Kelly Iko brings deep insider knowledge of Rockets' strategic hurdles and potential tweaks, with a tone both frank and hopeful about marginal improvements but skeptical about true contention.

This summary captures the episode’s critical themes, discussion trajectories, and memorable quotes, ensuring a listener will understand both the content and spirit of this NBA Daily installment.