Daniels steals the ball off Doncic (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)Source: Getty ImagesAbove all, Daniels looked like he belonged on an NBA court as one of the most impactful players in the first half, which New Orleans led 66-64.
“Daniels making an impact on this game at both ends of the flour in his first significant opportunity to play,” former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy said on TNT.
“I used to always say to guys at the beginnings of the season, everyone on the roster’s opportunity will come at some point, and it always does, it’s inevitable.
“The question is will you be ready when your time comes – and Dyson Daniels certainly has been tonight.”
Daniels checked into the game with 4:35 left in the first term and was immediately assigned to Doncic in a tough introduction to the league and mighty test for the young guard. Defensive assignments frankly don’t come much bigger.
But the 19-year old was up for the challenge.
He stayed in the game until just before the half-time – essentially playing 15 minutes straight – such was his impact including a particularly impressive second term where he kept Doncic honest offensively after the Slovenian’s early explosion.
“Dyson Daniels getting an extended run and making the most of it,” TNT commentator Ian Eagle added.
Daniels had already played three minutes in junk time in the Pelicans’ meeting with the Nets in their season opener in what was technically his official debut.
He was drafted by New Orleans with the eighth overall pick in last year’s draft.
