Overview
- Daniels recorded seven steals in Atlanta’s 128-81 win over the Charlotte Hornets and entered the season with 12 steals through his first two games, the most by any player in the first two games of a season this century.
- The Hawks improved to 2-0 after the rout in Charlotte, a game in which Jalen Johnson and Aaron Wiggins each scored 19 points and Atlanta turned turnovers into transition opportunities.
- Center Jock Landale played in a protective mask after suffering a nasal fracture in the opener and contributed eight points, six rebounds and four assists while remaining in the Hawks’ rotation.
- Daniels’ takeaways have sparked early discussion about All-Defensive honors and Defensive Player of the Year potential, though reporters note the sample is tiny and some steals came after opponent miscues.
- Despite working on his shot in the offseason, Daniels has not yet made a 3-pointer, leaving his two-way development an open question that will determine whether his early defensive surge can sustain impact all season.