Guard Dyson Daniels, who has emerged as the NBA’s top stealer, and the Atlanta Hawks are aiming for their third straight win when they face the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.
Daniels has tied an NBA record for the longest streak of games with at least 15 points and five steals, matching the legendary Michael Jordan with four consecutive games.
Acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans in the Dejounte Murray trade in July, Daniels leads the NBA in steals with an impressive 3.8 per game (42 in 11 games). His defensive prowess has significantly boosted the Hawks, who are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference standings.
Daniels had a career-high 28 points in the Hawks’ 117-116 road victory over Boston on Tuesday and followed it up with 25 points in Friday’s 129-117 home win against the Wizards.
In the game against the Wizards, the Hawks saw the return of veteran De’Andre Hunter, who had missed 10 games due to a knee injury and time spent with his newborn daughter. Hunter contributed 22 points off the bench.
However, the Hawks are still without Bogdan Bogdanovic, who has played only one game this season due to a right hamstring injury, and Trae Young, who is 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 issue. Ayton is listed as questionable for the upcoming game, while Simons will miss the contest.
Portland coach Chauncey Billups addressed the status of his two stars on Friday. Despite their struggles on offense, ranking 26th in the NBA with just 106.8 points per game, the Trail Blazers have received a significant boost from rookie 7-foot center Donovan Clingan. Clingan had 17 points, 12 rebounds, and eight blocks in the win over the Timberwolves on Wednesday, with his eight blocks being one shy of Bill Walton’s single-game rookie record for the Blazers.
Clingan, the seventh overall pick in the 2024 draft following a stellar career at Connecticut, is quickly becoming a folk hero in Portland. The all-time series between the two franchises is tied at 62, with each team winning the match-up on its home court for the past five years.
