The Athletic NBA Daily: Thunder Make History + Knicks and Clippers Go Up
Release Date: April 25, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Athletic NBA Daily, hosts Xena Keita, Dave DeFore, and Esfandiar Baraheni delve into a thrilling night in the NBA playoffs. The episode covers three pivotal games: the Oklahoma City Thunder's historic comeback against the Memphis Grizzlies, the New York Knicks' decisive win over the Detroit Pistons, and the Los Angeles Clippers' commanding victory against the Denver Nuggets. With expert insights from award-winning reporters Andrew Schlecht and Alex Spears, the discussion provides a comprehensive analysis of each game’s key moments, strategic maneuvers, and the implications for the respective playoff series.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies: A Historic Comeback

Overview

The Oklahoma City Thunder delivered one of the most remarkable comebacks in playoff history, overturning a 27-point deficit to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies. Central to this narrative was the injury of Memphis star John Morant, which significantly impacted the outcome.

Key Moments and Analysis

• John Morant’s Injury:
  John Schlecht (04:04): "He went and took the free throws and then was able to just gingerly walk himself back to the locker room. Won't know more about the injury probably until tomorrow, but it does not look good for Ja."

  Morant’s injury occurred late in the second quarter when he was inadvertently undercut by Lou Dort during a transition play. This incident not only sidelined a pivotal player but also shifted the momentum in favor of the Thunder.

• Thunder’s Adjustments:
  Xena Keita (05:40): "OKC unbelievably adjusted. They woke up. They started playing a lot better on defense. Chet Holmgren went off for 23 points in the second half. Alex Caruso was unreal."

  The Thunder's ability to adapt defensively, led by Chet Holmgren's stellar performance, was instrumental in staging the comeback. Their defensive intensity and hustle plays, including eight steals and three blocks in the second half, stifled Memphis’s offense.

• Grizzlies’ Struggles:
  John Schlecht (07:28): "The talent deficit just got down so far for Memphis. Whenever Scotty Pippen Jr. is playing as your best player and like your best creator, like your best creator, and there's no shade to Scotty Pippen Jr. He's had a great season."

  Memphis struggled with offensive production post-Morant, relying heavily on Scotty Pippen Jr., whose performance couldn't bridge the talent gap against the Thunder's depth and resilience.

Notable Quotes

• Xena Keita (08:14): "This game was such a description of everything that OKC has to offer from their ability to adjust in real-time, in real game situations, their ability to bounce back, be resilient."

• John Schlecht (09:57): "The talent deficit just got down so far for Memphis... the Thunder, a really good team, but also the talent deficit is part of why they had the second largest comeback in the history of the playoffs."

Implications for the Series

With the Thunder now leading the series 3-0, the Grizzlies face an uphill battle. The injury to John Morant adds uncertainty to Memphis’s prospects, raising questions about their ability to recover and compete effectively in the remaining games.

2. New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons: Knicks Steal the Win

Overview

In a high-stakes playoff duel, the New York Knicks edged out the Detroit Pistons with a narrow victory of 118-116. Hunter Patterson provided on-the-ground insights from Little Caesars Arena, highlighting the intense atmosphere and key performances that led to the Knicks securing the win.

Key Moments and Analysis

• Tim Hardaway Jr.’s Performance:
  Andrew Schlecht (15:36): "Tim Hardaway Jr. was 5 for 5, possibly 6 for 6 at one point."

  Hardaway Jr.'s flawless shooting early in the game set the tone for the Knicks, energizing the crowd and establishing a scoring rhythm that the Pistons struggled to counter.

• Bench Contributions:
  Andrew Schlecht (16:54): "Detroit's bench was pretty huge. They won the bench battle and scoring there between them in New York 49."

  The Pistons’ strong bench performance posed significant challenges for the Knicks, particularly with key players like Malik Beasley and Tobias Harris contributing crucial points. However, the Knicks managed to maintain composure and execute effectively in crunch time.

• Defensive Stalwarts:
  Andrew Schlecht (18:34): "Isaiah Stewart, as we mentioned, didn't play game three, but he'll possibly be back in the mix for game four and it'll take a gang of bodies to stop Kat."

  The Knicks’ defensive strategies, especially against Detroit’s big men, were pivotal in limiting the Pistons' scoring opportunities and forcing turnovers at critical junctures.

Notable Quotes

• Andrew Schlecht (17:55): "Tobias was scoring in the 20s, consistently being almost more of a focal point offensively. But it seemed as if his task shifted to being more of a defensive stalwart in this third game."

• Xena Keita (22:06): "Nothing crazy with some dust-ups. So now going into game four, you know, what are you expecting in terms of how Detroit is going to be able to handle that physicality and also get a win at Little Caesar's Arena?"

Implications for the Series

With the Knicks taking the lead in the series, Detroit faces the challenge of overcoming both the Knicks' offensive firepower and their defensive adjustments. The Pistons will need to address their scoring inefficiencies and bolster their defensive tactics to regain momentum in the upcoming games.

3. Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets: Clippers Dominate

Overview

The Los Angeles Clippers showcased their dominance with a decisive win over the Denver Nuggets, marking their second series lead. Host Dave DeFore provided an in-depth review of the game from the newly opened Intuit Dome, highlighting the Clippers' strategic execution and the Nuggets' defensive lapses.

Key Moments and Analysis

• Clippers’ Offensive Onslaught:
  Dave DeFore (26:20): "They were taking warm-up Threes like these were wide open shots they were taking."

  The Clippers exploited Denver’s defensive gaps, particularly beyond the three-point line, capitalizing on open shots and maintaining a relentless pace that overwhelmed the Nuggets.

• James Harden’s Impact:
  Dave DeFore (28:24): "James Harden, 20, had 20 points in the first half, and then he just kind of slowed down... he was attacking the basket, and then he hit so many threes."

  Harden’s versatile scoring—combining aggressive drives with sharp three-point shooting—was instrumental in maintaining the Clippers' lead and disrupting the Nuggets’ offensive flow.

• Denver’s Defensive Struggles:
  Dave DeFore (29:46): "Denver just their communication outside on the perimeter was non-existent."

  The Nuggets' inability to effectively communicate and defend the perimeter allowed the Clippers to exploit open shooting opportunities, leading to a significant point differential by game’s end.

Notable Quotes

• Dave DeFore (27:14): "The Clippers have done a really great job of embracing the fan part of this. This was a fun time even though it was a blowout."

• Dave DeFore (30:47): "I actually think one of the big problems for Denver is not enough production from Nikola Jokic and in ways that aren't necessarily points or assists or rebound."

Implications for the Series

With the Clippers leading the series 2-1, they position themselves strongly to advance further, leveraging their strategic gameplay and depth. The Nuggets, grappling with inconsistent performances and defensive vulnerabilities, will need to make significant adjustments to counter the Clippers' offensive strategies and contain their key players like Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.

Conclusion

This episode of The Athletic NBA Daily provided an insightful analysis of a pivotal night in the NBA playoffs. From the Oklahoma City Thunder's historic comeback and the Knicks' clutch performance against the Pistons to the Clippers' dominant display over the Nuggets, the hosts and guests offered a comprehensive breakdown of each game's critical moments and strategic elements. As the playoffs progress, these discussions offer valuable perspectives for fans and analysts alike, highlighting the resilience, adaptability, and strategic prowess of the competing teams.

Notable Closing Remarks

• Dave DeFore (33:01): "Evan Mobley did."

• Xena Keita (33:02): "I just wanted to make sure that you guys knew that."

These closing notes provided a light-hearted end to the episode, reaffirming key recognitions and maintaining the episode's engaging tone.

Stay Updated

For ongoing coverage and in-depth analyses of the NBA playoffs, tune in to The Athletic NBA Daily from Monday through Friday, and catch the full-length Saturday "Slam n’ Jam" episodes with Andrew Schlecht and Alex Spears.