8
Jan
Aussies in the NBA
Dyson hoovers three steals, has 13-8-8 on 'Trae-de' day
Trae Young #11 (left) of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the third quarter with teammates Dyson Daniels #5 and Zaccharie Risacher #10 against the New Orleans Pelicans at State Farm Arena on January 8, 2026 (AEDT) in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo: Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
Dyson Daniels cements Hawks future as Atlanta trades Trae Young and commits to a new defensive core.
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It was only a matter of time before the Atlanta Hawks traded Trae Young.
Young, 27, revealed his preferred destination was the Washington Wizards and the Hawks pulled the trigger today, trading him for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
Australian guard Dyson Daniels has taken the point guard role by the scruff of the neck since Young went down with a knee injury early in the season, proving the Hawks front office that he is more than capable of running the team.
The Hawks are far better on the defensive side of the ball without Young, they are longer and it is now more than clear, the Hawks are building around budding superstar Jalen Johnson.
Young is is teaming up with former NBL Next Star Alex Sarr.
NBA Box Score: Chicago Bulls @ Detroit Pistons
Australian point guard Josh Giddey remains out with a hamstring injury.
NBA Box Score: New Orleans Pelicans 100 Atlanta Hawks 117
Bendigo-born point guard Dyson Daniels delivered another all-around performance that reinforced Atlanta's faith in his ability to run the Hawks offense on the day they traded All-Star Trae Young, who was in attendance.
- 35 minutes, 13 points (6-of-11 FG)
- 8 rebounds, 8 assists – joint team-high playmaking night
- 3 steals, 1 block – constant defensive disruption
- +9 plus/minus
Atlanta powered past New Orleans at home with a dominant second half, turning a competitive first two quarters into a comfortable 17-point win. The Hawks’ ball movement (30 assists), rebounding edge (49–40), and perimeter shooting (18 made threes) gradually wore down the Pelicans, who couldn’t keep pace once Atlanta lifted the defensive pressure after halftime.
NBA Box Score: Houston Rockets 117 Memphis Grizzlies 98
Australian centre Jock Landale started for Memphis and logged 21 minutes in the loss.
Stat line:
- 0 points on 0–5 FG (0–4 3PT)
- 8 rebounds (all defensive)
- 4 assists
- 1 steal
- 0 turnovers
- –3 plus/minus
Landale’s impact came away from scoring. He finished second on the team in rebounds and equal second in assists among starters, while Memphis struggled to generate efficient offense during his minutes.
Phoenix’s shooting volume and efficiency from three-point range separated the teams early and consistently. For Memphis, Landale provided rebounding and ball movement from the centre position, but the Grizzlies finished the night at 42% shooting with limited perimeter efficiency.
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