Proctor starts first NBA game, has 16 in 27 minutes

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Australian rookie guard Tyrese Proctor started his first NBA game against All-Star calibre Boomers star Josh Giddey.

It was Giddey's Bulls that have appeared to steadied their season, moving to 12-15 while the Cavs are now 15-14.

NBA Box Score: Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers

Chicago outgunned Cleveland 136–125 in a high-scoring contest, with Australian guards playing prominent roles on both sides as the game unfolded at pace from the opening tip.

For the Josh Giddey, it was another well-rounded night in Chicago colours. Starting in the backcourt, Giddey logged 30 minutes and finished with 17 points, six rebounds and seven assists, shooting 7-of-15 from the field and 3-of-7 from deep. He consistently punished Cleveland’s defensive rotations, finding teammates early in transition and showing confidence stepping into catch-and-shoot threes. His +8 plus/minus reflected Chicago’s control when he was on the floor, particularly during decisive second- and fourth-quarter stretches.

On the Cleveland side, the night marked a significant milestone for Tyrese Proctor, who made the first NBA start of his career. Proctor responded with a composed and assertive performance, scoring 16 points in 27 minutes on 6-of-15 shooting, including 3-of-8 from beyond the arc. He added six rebounds and three assists, showing poise as a secondary creator alongside Darius Garland. While Cleveland struggled to contain Chicago’s offensive depth, Proctor’s willingness to shoot and compete defensively stood out as a positive in an otherwise frustrating loss.

Fellow Australian Luke Travers provided a spark off the Cavaliers’ bench. In 21 minutes, Travers contributed 15 points on 6-of-14 shooting, knocking down two triples and attacking closeouts decisively. He also chipped in three rebounds and two assists, bringing energy and physicality as Cleveland tried to stem Chicago’s momentum through the middle quarters.

Ultimately, Chicago’s balance and efficiency proved decisive, shooting 52 percent from the field and winning the assist battle 34–31. While Cleveland’s defence couldn’t keep pace, the night still carried significance for Australian basketball, highlighted by Proctor’s first NBA start, Travers’ bench impact, and Giddey’s continued evolution as a key playmaker in a fast-moving Bulls offence.

NBA Box Score: San Antonio Spurs @ Atlanta Hawks

San Antonio overwhelmed Atlanta 126–98, blowing the game open early and never easing off as the Hawks struggled to contain the Spurs’ depth, size, and pace across all four quarters.

For Dyson Daniels, it was a challenging night. Starting in the backcourt, Daniels logged 26 minutes and finished with 11 points, six rebounds and three assists, shooting 5-of-14 from the field. While his offensive efficiency dipped, Daniels remained active defensively and on the glass, consistently competing through contact and helping Atlanta stay organised during extended stretches without rhythm.

Daniels’ impact came largely in connective moments – pushing the ball in transition, making the extra pass, and battling bigger bodies defensively as San Antonio repeatedly attacked mismatches. His willingness to take on tough assignments reflected his growing responsibility within Atlanta’s rotation, even as the Spurs’ relentless pressure limited the Hawks’ ability to generate sustained momentum. Atlanta was outscored by 19 points during Daniels’ minutes, underscoring the uphill battle faced by the starting unit as a whole.

San Antonio set the tone early, racing to a 32–19 first-quarter lead before extending the margin to 68–44 by halftime. Their balance was decisive, with multiple players scoring in double figures and the Spurs shooting 54 percent from the field while dominating the boards 56–43. Atlanta, by contrast, struggled from deep, finishing just 10-of-40 (25 percent) from three-point range, which allowed San Antonio to load the paint and control tempo.