Dyson Daniels had three total minutes of playing time entering play on Tuesday, but the eighth pick stepped up in a big way to help the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans knock off the Dallas Mavericks.
Down Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones, the Pelicans leaned on their depth to pull out the 113-111 win to improve to 3-1. They had eight players score in double figures, led by Trey Murphy III (22 points), Naji Marshall (15 points) and C.J. McCollum (14 points).
Daniels produced 11 points, three rebounds, three steals, two assists and one blocked shot in 22 minutes off of the bench. He was matched up on Luka Doncic (37 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists) and held his own, while also forcing a couple of turnovers.
Pelicans head coach Willie Green liked Daniels’ performance.
It is a credit to who he is as a person, his family and how he has been brought up. He is 19, but he doesn’t act like it. He and Herb kind of have that same kind of demeanor: Very poised, sort of quiet but just tough. (He is) another young guy we’re grateful to have.
Dyson Daniels is showing out against the Mavs 😤
The Pelicans rookie is helping to put the clamps on Luka and is chipping in with scoring. pic.twitter.com/IQwncZqqH5
— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) October 26, 2022
Daniels saw his playing time in mop-up duty in the Pelicans’ 22-point win against the Brooklyn Nets on opening night. He was a healthy scratch from the lineup in each of their last two games but seemingly stayed ready for his opportunity on Tuesday.
He impressed the coaching staff and his teammates during the offseason and again in training camp. The team is very high on his potential, and the 19-year-old showed off some of that ability when his number was called.
McCollum was happy to see Daniels perform well in his spot minutes.
He is a very hard worker. He is one of the guys that are in the gym early. I pull up, and I get there pretty early, and I see his car is there. I see him stretching, getting his shots in. He is doing what he is supposed to do to stay ready for these types of moments.
The Pelicans were ecstatic to add Daniels through the draft and believe he can be a player that can contribute in the future. He may see sporadic playing time in the early going, but his effort on Tuesday offered a glimpse of what he can bring on a nightly basis.
New Orleans returns to action on Friday in Phoenix.
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