Dyson Daniels has already ripped off an incredible 12 steals through the first two games of the NBA season. This Atlanta Hawks guard is absolutely wasting no time proving he is one of the league’s most disruptive perimeter defenders, and he is showing everyone exactly why he is considered that.
Daniels’ Defensive Blitz Is Absolutely Wild
Daniels’ defensive instincts, quick hands, and relentless effort have made him a complete nightmare for opposing ball handlers, and the numbers are backing it up big time. He recorded an insane five steals in Atlanta’s 132-125 season-opening victory over the Orlando Magic. He wasn’t just a defensive wizard in that game either, adding 20 points, four rebounds, and three assists to the stat sheet. Then, Daniels followed that up with a massive seven steals in Friday’s dominant 128-81 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. He also chipped in 11 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.
His 12 steals are not just impressive, they are the most by any NBA player through the first two games of a season this entire century. Let that sink in! While everyone is usually focused on who’s dropping 30 points, Daniels is proving that defense can be just as impactful, if not more, when it leads to these kinds of results.
More Than Just Numbers: Hawks Are Cooking
This isn’t just about Daniels’ individual brilliance, though. His defensive activity is creating a ton of additional transition opportunities for Atlanta, allowing them to push the basketball and generate easier scoring chances. With Daniels leading the defensive charge, the Hawks are now sitting pretty at 2-0 and showing early signs of becoming a truly dangerous team in the Eastern Conference.
Daniels himself kept it real after Friday’s victory, acknowledging Charlotte’s generosity. “In this game they were just giving it to me, I’m not going to lie. They were throwing it in my hands,” he said. That’s some serious confidence, but also a nod to how much pressure he is putting on opponents. His defensive performance is quickly becoming one of the biggest storylines surrounding Atlanta’s undefeated start. If Daniels maintains anything close to this production, you just know another All-Defensive selection is absolutely within reach. Opposing teams, consider yourselves warned: you better be extremely careful whenever this Australian guard is guarding the basketball. The Hawks are dangerous, and Daniels is why.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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