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It’s been a good week for the Atlanta Hawks.
Just a few days removed from defeating the defending champion Boston Celtics in the preliminary game of the NBA Cup, Atlanta moved to 2-0 in the tournament with a 124-110 victory over the Washington Wizards.
The victory puts the Hawks in a solid position to advance to the knockout stage of the in-season tournament. It was also the first time in three meetings that Atlanta was able to claim a victory over Washington.
It was also another showcase of the top two picks in the 2024 NBA Draft, Zaccharie Risacher of the Hawks and Alex Sarr of the Wizards.
Risacher had 11 points, two rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes while shooting 4-of-12 on field goals and 0-of-4 from three-point range. Sarr had a stronger day, scoring 20 points with seven rebounds, four steals, three blocks and two assists.
The star of the day, however, was Hawks guard Dyson Daniels. He scored 25 points with six steals, four rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
Fans took to social media to praise Daniels’ effort and strong defensive start to the season.
John Hollinger @johnhollinger
Dyson Daniels has 28 steals in his last five games. Nobody else in the NBA has more than 25 steals for the entire season.
Hawks PR @HawksPR
Dyson Daniels, currently with 21 points and five steals, has tallied 15+ points and 5+ steals in four straight games, the longest such streak since Michael Jordan did so during the 1989-90 season (3/21/90-3/26/90, also four games).
Kevin Keneally @KevinKeneely1
Dyson Daniels is the fourth player in NBA history have 15+ points and 5+ steals in four-straight games and the first since Michael Jordan (1990).
Magic Johnson
Alvin Robertson
Michael Jordan
Dyson Daniels pic.twitter.com/nKtaXwA4ct
????Hawks Fan TV @HawksFanTV
I’m not gonna lie, Dyson Daniels has actually transformed my life. Watching a Hawks player play this type of defense has improved my life and made me a happier person. ???? ????
Life could be so simple, man. Thank you Dyson ????????
“Kamacho Man” aka Nasty Savage fka Officer Vulgar. @noremaksnilloc
Dyson Daniels is like the new Alvin Robertson.
Will2Rich @Will2Rich
Dyson Daniels is special …. I don’t think people recognize the power of a steal, each one is a possible +4, by taking away two and adding two points … Kid is an asset
(UNIT) @EvanHitchens_
Dyson Daniels 25 steals over last 4 games. Leads NBA in deflections by insane margin. Guy is insane.
Joel Moran @joelvmoran
Dyson Daniels is giving the Hawks what they thought they were getting from Dejounte Murray
DIEHARD FANDOM @DieHardFandom
Let’s go ahead and hand Dyson Daniels the MIP trophy right now
Ryan Foster @ryan05foster
dyson daniels DPOY ????
SuburbanWarlock @QDa5ifth
ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH DYSON DANIELS
Daniels is leading the NBA in steals at 3.6 per game. Notably, he has 25 steals in his last four games. He has helped Atlanta to a 5-7 start to the season.
The Hawks are still undefeated within East Group C and have games remaining against Chicago and Cleveland.
