The Athletic NBA Daily
Episode: Rockets Spurs Thriller + Kuminga’s Return
Date: January 21, 2026
Hosts: Dave DuFour, Esperani, Will Guillory
Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into a jam-packed night of NBA action, featuring a headline-grabbing comeback by the Houston Rockets against the San Antonio Spurs, Jonathan Kuminga’s notable return to the Warriors’ rotation after the Jimmy Butler injury, Keonte George's scoring explosion, and evolving playoff contenders in both conferences. The discussions are rich with game analysis, player development insights, and the behind-the-scenes team narratives that shape this NBA season.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Warriors News: Jimmy Butler’s Injury and Jonathan Kuminga’s Opportunity
[03:09]
- Jimmy Butler is out for the remainder of the season (and likely a chunk of next season) with a torn ACL.
- Kuminga stepped up, scoring 20 points off the bench in a blowout loss to the Raptors (145-127).
- The hosts question organizational messaging around Kuminga, referencing recent public comments by GM Mike Dunleavy about trade demands and Kuminga’s role.
Quotes:
- “This is sort of what you thought Jonathan Kaminga could always provide for the Warriors, right? ... As advertised, he's this hired gun, right?” – Esperani [04:14]
- “If anything, I would argue some of the stuff that Steve Kerr has said and now this statement from Mike Dunleavy is a little bit disrespectful.” – Dave DuFour [05:26]
Key Takeaways:
- Kuminga’s physicality and offensive repertoire brings much-needed versatility to the Warriors’ rotation as they adapt to playing without Butler.
- There is tension behind the scenes regarding Kuminga’s status, but on-court results show his value, possibly ahead of the trade deadline.
2. Raptors’ Upswing: Emmanuel Quickley Breaks Out
[06:53]
- Emmanuel Quickley had his best game as a Raptor, tying his career-high with 40 points on just 13 shots.
- The new guard rotation with Jamal Shed allowed Quickley to thrive off the ball, echoing his successful Knicks role.
Quotes:
- “This was very easily Emmanuel Quickley's best game as a Raptor … it feels like the role that is best suited for him in his career is for him to be this off ball scoring weapon.” – Esperani [07:19]
Key Takeaways:
- The Raptors are experimenting and optimizing guard pairings, leaning into Quickley’s strengths.
- Off-ball utilization and spacing are at the center of Toronto’s offensive adjustments.
3. Utah Jazz: Keonte George’s All-Star Leap
[08:23]
- Keonte George erupted for 43 points with Markkanen out, emerging as a Most Improved Player frontrunner.
- Jazz management faces questions on how to build around a George/Markkanen core.
Quotes:
- “He is shooting 37% from three. He is a marksman as a shooter now… Making better decisions with the ball, working in the pick and roll more often.” – Esperani [09:02]
Key Takeaways:
- George is accelerating the Jazz’s timeline with massive scoring improvements.
- Utah’s strategy of mixing veterans with young talent is credited for their development success.
4. Timberwolves: Inconsistencies Linger
[11:24]
- The Wolves lose a “bad one” to the Jazz despite being full strength.
- This fits a historical trend where Minnesota plays down to competition but rises in playoffs.
Quotes:
- “They'll have games where you're like, wait, what, how did they lose this game? And it's just what the Timberwolves do.” – Esperani [12:17]
Key Takeaways:
- Maintaining nightly intensity and consistency is still an issue for Minnesota’s core, especially Anthony Edwards.
5. Phoenix Suns: Surprising Depth & Playoff Potential
[13:21]
- The Suns defeat the 76ers (27-17 record), sparked by contributions from returning Jalen Green and their bench.
- Suns have defied expectations this season despite a new coach, GM, and a major roster turnover (Durant departure).
Quotes:
- “What Jalen Green provides is a good overall ingredient … like he can't be the main thing for them. Like, he's like parsley.” – Esperani [14:24]
- “If he can come off the bench, that's exactly what they've needed. They needed a guy you can put the ball in his hands and have him create.” – Dave DuFour [15:32]
Key Takeaways:
- The Suns’ strong, defense-minded supporting cast has exceeded expectations, with Green now providing a valuable offensive spark off the bench.
- Despite regular season success, the hosts are skeptical of Phoenix's ability to hang with top West contenders in a playoff series.
Spotlight Segment: Rockets’ Thrilling Comeback vs Spurs
[19:45] – [31:40]
Will Guillory guest segment
- Rockets come back from 16 down to beat the Spurs 111-106.
- Major loss of key big man Stephen Adams (out around 2 months with a grade 3 ankle sprain).
- Rookie Reed Sheppard stepped up in the fourth: shotmaking, a huge block on Julian Champagnie, and poise under pressure.
Quotes & Moments:
- “There was no life on the Rockets bench and then Reed Sheppard happened and it completely flipped the game.” – Will Guillory [20:26]
- “Before the game, Udoka announced that Stephen [Adams] suffered a grade three ankle sprain ... He’s such a huge part of this team’s identity, not just with the offensive rebounding but his overall toughness.” – Will Guillory [21:15]
- “Reed Sheppard is a guy who, who provides a very nice change up for them with his ability to make shots, to be able to play on the ball, take the ball away from KD and Sengun. I thought he did a little bit of everything...” – Will Guillory [21:41]
- “Reed [Sheppard] talked about after the game... he shot it from damn near half court and air balled it. And then Eme Udoka told him, hey, I like that shot. Keep playing aggressive, keep shooting.” – Will Guillory [24:14]
- “Kevin Durant was guarding Wemby a lot tonight. I think they did a great job of really getting underneath Wemby. He really didn’t look comfortable for much of the game.” – Will Guillory [26:03]
Notable Game Flow Points:
- The absence of Adams forced Houston to diversify offensively and rely less on pure physicality.
- Coach Udoka’s encouragement of aggression in young players like Sheppard was highlighted as a key unlock.
- Rockets’ late-game defense and willingness to let non-KD players close proved pivotal.
- Spurs struggled in the clutch; Wembanyama was held in check by physical defenders like Dorian Finney-Smith and Tari Eason.
- Hosts discuss Houston’s new best closing lineup options, emphasizing Reed Sheppard’s importance and the dynamic return of Tari Eason.
- Will Guillory projects a quiet trade deadline for Houston, as they prefer to see their current squad healthy and in rhythm.
Notable Quotes
-
On Kuminga’s emergence:
“He’s this hired gun, right. Like he’s an Assassin. Go get buckets.”
– Esperani [04:14] -
On Keonte George:
“This is a guy who’s now averaging 23 points per game...he is a marksman as a shooter now, which is a big part of the scoring output.”
– Esperani [09:02] -
On Jalen Green’s role:
“He can’t be the whole ingredient. He can’t be the main thing for them – he’s like parsley.”
– Esperani [14:24] -
On Eme Udoka’s coaching:
“Eme Udoka told [Reed Sheppard], hey, I like that shot. Keep playing aggressive, keep shooting. That’s really important for a young player…”
– Will Guillory [24:14]
Important Timestamps
- 03:09 – Butler injury fallout and Kuminga’s game
- 06:53 – Emmanuel Quickley’s career night
- 08:23 – Keonte George’s ascension and Jazz’s future
- 11:24 – Minnesota’s loss, team profile
- 13:21 – Suns’ depth and playoff outlook
- 19:45 – Rockets-Spurs recap, Sheppard’s impact, and Adams’ injury
- 24:14 – Udoka’s player development mindset
- 26:03 – Defensive strategy against Wemby
- 29:04 – Rockets’ closing lineup and Eason’s fit
- 31:07 – Trade deadline expectations for Houston
Episode Tone and Style
- The tone is lively and conversational, with a blend of analytical deep-dives, offbeat analogies, and a sense of camaraderie among the hosts.
- Insights are delivered with both candor and humor, particularly regarding player roles (“parsley” and “rosemary” analogies), and franchise quirks.
Perfect for fans seeking:
- Up-to-date recaps on critical NBA matchups and league news
- Thoughtful player development discussion
- Honest, unscripted team analysis with the flavor of real locker-room debate
- Firsthand reporting from The Athletic’s plugged-in NBA team