21
Apr
Aussies in the NBA
Dyson's Hawks snatch Game 2 in 'Knick' of time
Australian Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels drives on New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round at Madison Square Garden. Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images
Highlights
Dyson Daniels helps Hawks rally late to steal Game 2, level series 1–1 in New York
- 'I’d do it forever if I could': Joe Ingles shows he's still got game
- Alex Condon bets on himself with Florida return
- No Garden Party for Dyson Daniels' Hawks in Game 1
- Every Australian player in the 2026 Transfer Portal
Atlanta Hawks 107 def. New York Knicks 106 (Final)
East First Round – Game 2
Series tied 1–1
Game Snapshot
- Quarter Scores: ATL 23–31–25–28 (107) │ NY 32–29–30–15 (106)
- Largest Lead: Knicks +12 │ Hawks +1
- Game Flow: New York controlled three quarters before Atlanta flipped the game with a 28–15 fourth.
Dyson Daniels and the Atlanta Hawks rode a fourth-quarter surge to edge the New York Knicks 107–106, stealing Game 2 on the road to level the series.
Atlanta trailed by seven entering the fourth and by double digits earlier in the second half, but a 28–15 final term turned the game. The Hawks shot 49% from the field and generated enough late stops to survive a Knicks offence that had been in control for three quarters.
CJ McCollum led the comeback with 32 points on 12-from-22 shooting, while Jonathan Kuminga added 19 points off the bench in a high-impact two-way stretch (+10).
Dyson Daniels: Defensive impact, low-usage role
Daniels played a controlled, defensively focused role across 26 minutes.
Dyson Daniels (Atlanta Hawks)
- 6 points │ 2-from-5 FG │ 0-from-1 3PT │ 2-from-2 FT
- 4 rebounds │ 2 assists │ 2 steals │ 1 block │ 0 turnovers │ 26 minutes
His defensive presence showed up late, with two steals and a block helping Atlanta disrupt New York’s rhythm in the fourth. Daniels did not commit a turnover, maintaining possession discipline in a one-point game.
Knicks fade after three quarters of control
New York built its advantage behind Jalen Brunson (29 points, 7 assists) and Karl-Anthony Towns (18 points, 8 rebounds), while Josh Hart added 15 points and 13 boards.
The Knicks scored just 15 points in the fourth quarter, going cold as Atlanta increased defensive pressure and forced tougher half-court possessions.
Despite winning the rebound battle (47–36) and shooting efficiently inside, New York’s late-game execution faltered.
By the Numbers
- FG%: ATL 49% │ NY 45%
- 3PT: ATL 9-from-30 (30%) │ NY 11-from-34 (32%)
- FT: ATL 18-from-23 (78%) │ NY 17-from-27 (63%)
- Rebounds: NY 47 │ ATL 36
- Turnovers: ATL 11 │ NY 14
Atlanta flips home-court advantage with the road win and regains momentum heading into Game 3.
Minnesota Timberwolves 119 def. Denver Nuggets 114
West First Round – Game 2
Series tied 1–1
Joe Ingles did not take the floor as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets 119–114 at Ball Arena on April 20, 2026.
Minnesota recovered from a 14-point first-quarter deficit to outscore Denver across the final three quarters and secure the road win.
The Timberwolves shot 48% from the field and moved the ball consistently, finishing with 30 assists to control the game after quarter time.
Game Snapshot
- Quarter Scores: MIN 25–39–26–29 (119) │ DEN 39–25–29–21 (114)
- Largest Lead: Nuggets +14 │ Timberwolves +6
- Game Flow: Denver dominated early before Minnesota flipped control from the second quarter onward
Edwards, Randle lead balanced offence
Anthony Edwards produced 30 points and 10 rebounds, while Julius Randle added 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists to anchor Minnesota’s offence.
Donte DiVincenzo provided spacing with 16 points, hitting 4-from-7 from three, while the Timberwolves bench added key support across the second and third quarters.
Ingles was listed among the active roster but did not enter the game, recording a DNP–Coach’s Decision.
Minnesota utilised a nine-man rotation, leaning on ball-handling depth and wing versatility off the bench.
Denver opened with 39 points in the first quarter behind Jamal Murray (30 points) and Nikola Jokic (24 points, 15 rebounds, 8 assists).
The Nuggets’ offence slowed late, scoring just 21 points in the fourth quarter as Minnesota increased defensive pressure.
Despite shooting 77% from the free-throw line and hitting 15 threes, Denver could not maintain its early advantage.
By the Numbers
- FG%: MIN 48% │ DEN 44%
- 3PT: MIN 14-from-34 (41%) │ DEN 15-from-41 (37%)
- FT: MIN 19-from-30 (63%) │ DEN 23-from-30 (77%)
- Rebounds: MIN 49 │ DEN 43
- Assists: MIN 30 │ DEN 28
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