Miami Heat stand by controversial Rozier | 00:58
Dyson Daniels’ defensive play has been labelled “genuinely outrageous”, picking up right where he left off last season as the Atlanta Hawks surged to claim their first win of the 2025-26 campaign.
Plus, Victor Wembanyama tried to meet Zion Williamson at the rim, and it didn’t go well for the towering French native.
**_Watch NBA with ESPN on Kayo Sports | Stream an average 9 LIVE Regular Season games per week plus the best of the NBA Playoffs.| New to Kayo? [Join now and get your first month for just $1.](https://kayosports.com.au/?pg=default&extcamp=fsaeditoriallinkbasketball-edt-fsp-lnk-awr-grc-basketball-kyo&channel=fsa&campaign=fsacontra&voucher=)_**
Daniels’ Hawks on Saturday (AEDT) bounced back from their season-opening flop to beat Orlando, 111-107, on the road.
The Australian guard posted six points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals and was a plus-10, but his influence was more profound than the box score suggests.
After getting beaten by 20 points on their home floor two nights ago, the Hawks came from behind to upend the Magic — and they did it without former no.1 draft pick Zaccharie Risacher (ankle) and Kristaps Porzingis (illness).
Daniels started on the right note, spinning in the lane and finishing with a sweet floater over the taller Paolo Banchero.
He made it two from two with another floater, the second time using glass to show off his array of tricks.
An All-Defensive 1st Team member last season, Daniels was typically very solid on the defensive end of the floor, repeatedly locking down Orlando star Franz Wagner.
Daniels drew an offensive charge in the second quarter and had a steal and a block by half-time.
His takeaway ensured he extended his steal streak to 54 consecutive contests, the longest active streak in the NBA and the second-longest in franchise history.
“I tell you what, Dyson Daniels, I love him defensively — he just makes you work so hard out front,” the legendary Dominique Wilkins said in commentary.
The Australian’s offensive profile remains a work in progress — still sometimes hesitant to attempt shots in good positions — but late in the third, Daniels again spun inside the lane and finished with a floater to get the Hawks to within two points with seven minutes left in the game.
And on the next play, he stripped the Magic of possession in a sequence that led to a game-tying dunk. It was the perfect juxtaposition of his defensive and offensive capabilities.
Curry & Warriors win OT shootout | 02:23
Daniels was limited in the Hawks’ season-opening defeat at the hands of Toronto, playing 23 minutes for just four points, three rebounds and two assists.
Last season’s runaway steals leader did manage two takeaways for the night, but also committed a team-worst five personal fouls.
Hence, he was ultimately beaten for playing time by bench teammates Luke Kennard (30 minutes) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (28).
**ZION BODIES WEMBY ON OPENING PLAY**
In a true Goliath-versus-Goliath clash of former no.1 draft picks, and in the opening sequence of the New Orleans-San Antonio game, Zion Williamson posterised Victor Wembanyama with a ferocious slam.
Using a teammate’s screen, Williamson drove hard left and finished with authority over the outstretched Frenchman — also drawing a foul in the process.
“First play of the game?! This is what we’re doing? Is this what we’re doing?!” reacted the Pelicans broadcast in disbelief.
The seven-foot-four Wembanyama is a daunting defensive prospect at the best of times, but the strong-bodied Williamson was fearless in slashing to the basket and monstered his star counterpart.