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Dyson Daniels: Running diary of Pelicans rookie's best moments, stats, highlights

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NBA.com Staff
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Dyson Daniels
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Dyson Daniels continued the Australian pipeline of talent in the NBA after being selected with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans. 

Not only did he become one of the highest-drafted Australians in NBA history, but Daniels also followed in Josh Giddey's footsteps as the second Australian NBA Academy graduate ever selected in the draft.

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Injuries slowed the Pelicans' progress this season, but they clawed their way into the Play-In tournament, finishing with the No. 9 seed, before going down to Josh Giddey and the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

While Daniels found minutes hard to come by on a talented Pelicans squad, the Aussie showcased his elite-level defense and improved shooting touch when his number was called, making 59 appearances, including 11 starts.

Take a look back at the best moments, stats and highlights from his rookie season.

Daniels shines off the bench vs. Kings

Daniels made an impressive cameo off the bench against the Kings, piling up 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting from the field in just under 13 minutes on court. 

Pelicans on a roll, March 28

Daniels and the Pelicans have found their rhythm in the stretch run of the season, reeling off five-straight wins to climb into the Play-In seeds, sitting above .500 at at 38-37.

Playing 22 minutes off the bench in a 124-90 win over the Trail Blazers, Daniels was active in transition, pushing the pace, and giving the second unit a boost of energy. 

He finished with eight points, four assists, and three rebounds, and confidently knocked down 2-of-3 from the 3-point line.

Daniels earns bragging rights, March, 9

After missing 12 games with an ankle injury, Daniels worked his way back into the Pelicans lineup, delivering a strong cameo against the Dallas Mavericks and earning bragging rights over fellow Aussie Josh Green.

In 19 minutes on court, Daniels put up four points, six rebounds, and six assists

A tough night in Miami, Jan. 23

Daniels turned in his best scoring performance of the new year, with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting, with his only misses coming from the 3-point line (1-of-4).

Starting his sixth game in a row, the Aussie contributed across the board, but was unlucky to have a five-second violation called on him as he tried to call a timeout inbounding the ball with just 15 seconds remaining and the Pels trailing by two.

Daniels stays in the starting lineup, Jan. 19

Daniels made his ninth career start and fourth in a row for the Pelicans, as they fell to the Heat 124-98.

While he's shot 50 percent or better in his last four games, the Aussie hasn't scored in double figures since December 12.

Pelicans topple Suns in West showdown, Dec. 12

The New Orleans Pelicans are flying, making it nine wins from their past 10 games to sit atop the Western Conference standings at 18-8 on the season. 

Starting his fifth game in a row (five wins), Daniels recorded 11 points, eight assists, and zero turnovers in his 36 minutes on court, giving the Pelicans an edge on defence with his play against the likes of Chris Paul and Mikal Bridges.

Career night vs. Raptors, Dec. 1

Daniels continues to make the most of his minutes off the bench, turning in his most well-rounded performance of the season in a 126-108 win over the Raptors. 

Daniels flirted with a triple-double, recording a season-high 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting, adding nine assists, eight rebounds, and one steal in a season-high 31 minutes. 

Dyson gets bragging rights, Nov. 29

It was an all-Aussie affair in New Orleans as Dyson Daniels squared off against this childhood mate Josh Giddey for the first time in their young NBA careers. 

Daniels took first bragging right was the pelicans got the 105-101 victory, with Daniels putting up eight points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals in the win. 

He produced one of the plays of the game, using his lighting first step to get to the rim for a two-handed flush.  

Daniels flexes defence vs. Spurs, Nov. 24

Daniels followed up his strong outing against the Warriors, with another solid performance against the Spurs, playing a season-high 22:12 minutes in the Pelicans win. 

The rookie finished with a line of five points, two assists, one rebound, one steal, and a block, impressing with his defensive versatility.

Daniels shines in cameo vs. Grizzlies, Nov. 16

Daniels had struggled for court time in November, playing under six minutes across six games, but with the Pelicans shorthanded, Daniels' number was called against the Grizzlies.

In 17 minutes on court, the Aussie was active on the defensive end and on the glass, using his length and athleticism to make an impact. 

He put up three points on 1-of-5 from the field, adding nine rebounds, one assist, one steal, and a monster block on Ja Morant!

A mixed night against the Lakers, Nov. 2

After missing the Pelicans' last two games, Daniels was right in the thick of the action against the Lakers. 

In 16 minutes on court, he recorded eight points, five rebounds, two assists, and a block, knocking down 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. 

In the third quarter, he showed off his defensive prowess, ripping the ball away from LeBron James. 

Down the stretch, Daniels had a moment he'll want back.

With the Pelicans leading by three points with 1.6 seconds left on the clock, he went to the free throw line, missing both, leaving the door open for a Lakers comeback. 

Matt Ryan then buried a triple at the buzzer to force overtime, before the Lakers sealed a 120-117 win on their home floor. 

Daniels impresses vs. Luka, Mavs Oct. 26

After not seeing the floor in the Pelicans' last two games, Dyson Daniels seized his opportunity with the Pelicans shorthanded, due to injuries to Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Herb Jones.

In 22 minutes, the 19-year-old recorded 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting to go with three rebounds, two assists, three steals and one block, playing some impressive defensive stretches against MVP favourite Luka Doncic. 

NBA debut vs. Nets, Oct. 19

Dyson Daniels had to wait till the fourth quarter to make his official regular season debut when the game was already won for the Pelicans. 

In limited game time, Daniels looked confident handling the ball, running the pick-and-roll, and recording two assists in three minutes.

Dyson Daniels' stats

Dyson Daniels' stats as of March. 21
SEASON GP MIN PTS FGM FGA FG% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OREB DREB REB AST TOV STL BLK PF FP
2022-23 59 17.7 3.8 1.5 3.5 41.8 0.5 1.5 31.4 0.4 0.7 65.0 0.6 2.6 3.2 2.3 1.0 0.7 0.2 1.7 12.9
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