Dyson Daniels is giving the Hawks a nightly reminder that he can fill up a box score in every direction, and the latest numbers have landed him in some rare air.
Through Atlanta’s first 11 games, Daniels has piled up at least 100 points, 75 rebounds, 50 assists and 30 steals. According to the source, no player had done that since Scottie Pippen in 1994.
That kind of all-around line fits the way Daniels has been playing. The Hawks wing has become a do-everything presence, the sort of player who can defend, rebound, create and jump passing lanes without ever needing the offense to run through him every possession. He’s averaging 9.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.9 steals per game this season.
His impact has been loudest on the defensive end. Daniels had seven steals in Atlanta’s 128-81 win over the Charlotte Hornets in the second game of the season, and he hasn’t let up since.
On Saturday, he turned in another disruptive performance in a 124-121 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, finishing with nine points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and six steals. Eight of his points came in the paint.
Jalen Johnson carried the scoring load with 30 points on 11-of-17 shooting, while Onyeka Okongwu added 16 points, five assists and three blocks.
The win pushed Atlanta to four straight and moved the Hawks to 7-4.
Daniels’ rise isn’t exactly out of nowhere. In his first season with Atlanta in 2024-25, he broke out, won NBA Most Improved Player and made the All-Defensive First Team. He has since become one of the league’s most disruptive perimeter defenders and is now a two-time All-Defensive selection.
If he keeps producing at this level, Daniels could be back in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation before long.
Atlanta’s next test comes Monday at home against Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers, another chance for Daniels to measure himself against one of the league’s hottest scorers.
In Other News...
Nets Still Have A Rookie Availability Problem After Hawks Win
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Mikel Brown Jr. is also expected to miss the matchup, this time because of a minutes restriction, keeping the Nets from leaning on another first-year option. Both rookies are viewed as possible return candidates for Brooklyns next game against the New Orleans Pelicans, but for now the team is still waiting for a clearer picture on how much of its youth can actually be available. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks Rookie Suddenly Faces A Bigger Role Than Anyone Expected
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What makes the stretch notable is that Ejiofor has stayed in the mix even after Jalen Johnson returned from injury, which says plenty about how the Hawks view his value right now. He has averaged more than seven points, four rebounds and two assists during the run, and for a rookie who was not expected to be this involved this soon, that kind of contribution has helped stabilize a rotation that suddenly needed answers. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks Suddenly Have A Tough Backup Center Decision Looming
The Hawks frontcourt depth is getting tested again as they prepare for the Lakers, with backup center Jock Landale now listed as questionable because of a left hip strain. Atlanta is already juggling a short injury list that includes Asa Newell, Mouhamed Gueye, Henri Veesaar and Keshon Gilbert, so every available big matters a little more right now. Jalen Johnsons recent return has helped steady things after he played a major role in the win over the Nets, but the rotation still has some moving parts.
Landales status matters because the Hawks have been forced to patch together their center minutes while trying to keep the rest of the lineup intact. With the Lakers still dealing with uncertainty around Luka Doncics availability after his status was already in doubt for the Detroit game, Atlanta may not get much clarity before tipoff on how the matchup will look or how much it will need from its bench frontcourt. [Read more 🡒]