Dyson Dismisses Rival’s Challenge; Luka’s Lakers Era Begins with Warning

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A well-rounded performance from Dyson Daniels has helped ensure an Atlanta Hawks win, but it didn’t come without ‘taking a shot’ in a physical collision with a rival. Elsewhere, Luka Doncic prepares for his Los Angeles Lakers debut.

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Daniels, who scored 10 points on 5-8 shooting and added six rebounds, four assists and four steals in 33 minutes, played solid clutch-time defence and grabbed a key defensive rebound with seconds remaining as the Hawks prevailed 112-106 to improve to 26-28 on the season.

The Hawks’ broadcast sang the praises of Daniels early in the piece, with the Australian entering Tuesday’s clash having averaged 17.4 points on 48 per cent shooting, 6.6 rebounds and 6.4 assists over his past five games in the month of February.

“Dyson Daniels continues to impress … how great’s this kid playing?” play-by-play commentator Bob Rathbun exclaimed.

NBA Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins added: “We always highlight the defence, but look at overall … stuffing the stat sheet with his all-around play, especially in these last five games.”

And on cue in the first quarter, the six-foot-eight defensive menace came up with a steal on Wendell Carter, kickstarting a transition possession.

“Cole (Anthony, Magic guard) will find out, just like everybody else in this league, that Daniels isn’t going away tonight … he’s absolutely relentless.”

Wilkins: “His anticipation, you watch him, he doesn’t gamble a lot … he comes like a thief in the night to get that ball.”

Daniels, the NBA steals and deflections leader, has also been assuming ball-handling duties when Trae Young is off the floor — and doing so with aplomb.

The 6’8 guard found Larry Nance for an assist before making a sweet spin move in the key for a finger-roll finish for his first basket.

Daniels lodged another steal leading to a transition opportunity in the second period, as the terrier continued to stamp his influence on both ends.

With a tad under five minutes left in the first half, Daniels “took a shot” from Orlando star Paolo Banchero, whose shoulder caught the Australian flush on the side of his face.

After needing a few seconds to gather himself, he popped right back up and was OK to continue.

Daniels finished the first half with four points on 2-5 shooting and a whopping four steals.

Despite a quiet night from All-Star guard Young, the Hawks produced a balanced scoring effort thanks to a combined 38 points off the bench from trade recruits Caris LeVert, Terence Mann and Georges Niang.

Daniels, who played terrific defence on Orlando forward Franz Wagner in the game’s waning moments, finished with 10 points on 5-8 shooting, five rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Later, in Los Angeles, superstar Luka Doncic was named a starter his Lakers debut against the Utah Jazz, alongside LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Jaxon Hayes.

However, he will be on a minutes restriction as he returns to full health from the calf strain that had kept him out since Christmas Day.