Dyson Daniels

Keeping encouraged, even during a rare occurrence in which he couldn’t record a swipe, Dyson Daniels, by night’s end on November 12, 2024, hustled his way into stealing something of greater importance: the show. Attached to Jayson Tatum’s torso like a button-up shirt on Sunday morning, Daniels’ hounding defensive energy eventually encourages the settling for a misfired, contested 3-point attempt. Onto his next venture in offensive transition before his teammate even corrals a rebound, Daniels positions himself alone for a two-handed fastbreak flush, tying the game with six-and-a-half minutes to play. Such a comeback proved once unlikely, with the Atlanta Hawks — behind by 15, and given only a 3.6 percent win probability one quarter before — ultimately clawing back for the ultimate underdog victory over the Boston Celtics. A defensive dynamo with almost-never-seen-before traits, Daniels’ extraordinary box score saw 10 deflections and six steals, the third of a breathtaking four-game stretch in which he reached the latter number. Equally elite offensively, Daniels’ heroics also allowed for a career-best 28 points (on 12-of-21 shooting), three rebounds, seven assists, and a 3-pointer.