Daniels makes All-NBA team despite 3-ball struggles

• ‍Dyson Daniels named to All-Defensive First Team‍
• Dyson Daniels reveals what really broke his three-point shot‍
• 'Cotton on': Dyson Daniels backs 'Boomer Bryce'

Australian Atlanta Hawks star Dyson Daniels remains one of the NBA’s best perimeter defenders, named to his second consecutive All-NBA Defensive team despite going into a “dark place” over his shooting woes in 2025-26.

Daniels, 22, earned second-team honours today following his first-team selection in 2024-25.

FIRST TEAM
• Victor Wembanyama –San Antonio Spurs
• Chet Holmgren – Oklahoma City Thunder
• Ausar Thompson – Detroit Pistons
• Rudy Gobert – Minnesota Timberwolves
• Derrick White – Boston Celtics

SECOND TEAM
• Scottie Barnes – Toronto Raptors
• Cason Wallace – Oklahoma City Thunder
• Bam Adebayo – Miami Heat
• OG Anunoby – New York Knicks
• Dyson Daniels – Atlanta Hawks

Victor Wembanyama was a unanimous selection on the 2025–26 NBA All-Defensive First Team, receiving all 100 first-team votes and 200 total points for the San Antonio Spurs. Despite playing just 64 games, Wembanyama remained the NBA’s most dominant defensive force, averaging 3.1 blocks per game while transforming San Antonio’s entire defensive structure with his rim protection, length and ability to defend on the perimeter.

Daniels finished with 50 total votes in the 2025–26 NBA All-Defensive Team voting to secure second-team honours for the second straight season, joining a defensive group featuring Scottie Barnes, Cason Wallace, Bam Adebayo and OG Anunoby.

Daniels received nine first-team votes and 32 second-team votes after another elite perimeter defensive season with the Atlanta Hawks, where he averaged 2.0 steals per game while regularly defending the opposition’s best guard and wing scorers.

Daniels finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2024-25 on the back of an historic year for steals, leading the NBA with 229.

The Victorian went 22-for-117 (19%) this season after shifting from the two-guard to point guard when Trae Young went down injured against the Brooklyn Nets on October 30, 2025. The role would become permanent when the Hawks traded Young to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert on January 9, 2026.

Dyson Daniels (2025–26, Atlanta Hawks)

• ‍Games: 76 │ Minutes: 33.2 │ Points: 11.9 │ FG: 51.7% │ 3PT: 18.8% │ FT: 61.5% │ Rebounds: 6.8 │ Assists: 5.9 │ Steals: 2.0 │ Blocks: 0.4 │ Turnovers: 1.8 │ Fouls: 2.2 │ DPOY: 9th

When asked what his off-season focus would be, Daniels said on the Tommy Talks podcast this week: “The obvious one is the three-point shot. I need to become more reliable offensively.

“It was a tough year mentally. I got in my own head and was second-guessing every decision instead of playing free.

“I’m actually glad it happened because now I know what that headspace feels like and how to get out of it.

“I tried everything. It’s a dark place when you get in your head and don’t know what to do.

“I started working with a psychologist every week.

“It took probably two months to really understand how the mind works and how breathing techniques can calm you down.

“I started reading more, going on walks, playing golf – just finding time for myself.”

Dyson Daniels 2025-26 Shooting Splits (Per Game + Percentages)

• FG: 51.7% (5.3-from-10.2)
• 2PT: 57.6% (5.0-from-8.7)
• 3PT: 18.8% (0.3-from-1.5)
• FT: 61.5% (1.0-of-1.6)
• eFG%: 53.2

Dyson Daniels Career Shooting Splits (Per Game – 4 Seasons)

• FG: 48.8% (4.0-from-8.2)
• 2PT: 55.4% (3.4-from-6.1)
• 3PT: 29.8% (0.6-from-2.1)
• FT: 61.4% (0.8-of-1.3)
• eFG%: 52.7

Despite the shift to the point of attack, Daniels still had 149 steals and 31 blocks. He was voted the best perimeter defender before the start of the season by NBA general managers:

Who is the best perimeter defender in the NBA?

1. ‍Dyson Daniels, Atlanta – 31%‍
2. Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City – 24%
3. Amen Thompson, Houston – 22%
4. Lu Dort, Oklahoma City – 14%
5. Jrue Holiday, Portland – 7%
6. Ausar Thompson, Detroit – 2%