Guard Dyson Daniels, who has become the top thief in the NBA, and the Atlanta Hawks are aiming for their third consecutive win when they face the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.
According to the Hawks, Daniels has tied an NBA record for the longest streak of games with at least 15 points and five steals, with four such games, matching NBA legend Michael Jordan.
Acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans in the trade for Dejounte Murray in July, Daniels leads the league in steals with 3.8 per game (42 steals in 11 games). His strong defensive play has boosted the entire team, which is currently ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference standings.
“Anytime you have someone who takes as much pride in defending as he does, the teammates on the floor can’t help but raise their level too,” said Hawks coach Quin Snyder. “It’s something we’ve worked on. Dyson impacts the game in a lot of ways.”
Daniels had a career-high 28 points in the Hawks’ 117-116 win over Boston on Tuesday and followed that up with 25 points in a 129-117 home victory against the Wizards on Friday.
In that win against the Wizards, the Hawks welcomed back veteran De’Andre Hunter, who had missed 10 games due to a knee injury and time spent with his newborn daughter. Hunter came off the bench to score 22 points.
“It’s good to have him back,” Snyder said. “I thought he played the way we talk about. He was aggressive from three. He’s a good shooter and can get that shot off, and that sets him up to attack the rim. He’s a pro.”
The Hawks are still missing Bogdan Bogdanovic, who played just one game before suffering a right hamstring injury. Trae Young is also dealing with right Achilles tendinitis.
The Trail Blazers are coming off a two-game sweep of the Minnesota Timberwolves at home, despite missing Deandre Ayton with a finger injury and Anfernee Simons with a chest injury. Ayton is listed as questionable, and Simons will not play in the game.
Portland head coach Chauncey Billups provided an update on his two key players on Friday.
“I think (Simons) is feeling a little better, but not the best though, we are just waiting to see how he continues to progress,” Billups said. “(Deandre) wasn’t able to practice. I have a hard time thinking he would play Sunday, but I’m not sure.”
Portland has struggled offensively, ranking 26th in the NBA with 106.8 points per game. However, rookie 7-foot center Donovan Clingan has provided a boost in the last two games.
Clingan posted 17 points, 12 rebounds, and eight blocks in the win over the Timberwolves on Wednesday. His eight blocks were just one shy of Bill Walton’s single-game Blazers record.
Clingan, the seventh overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft after an impressive career at Connecticut, is quickly gaining popularity in Portland.
“What’s surprising is just how young and inexperienced he is,” said Billups. “He’s not used to playing this many minutes. To me, that’s the most impressive part, playing so much and staying focused.”
The all-time series between the two teams is tied at 62, and in each of the last five years, the home team has won the matchup.
