Age: 21
NBA experience: Two seasons (two with Pelicans)
Games played/games started: 61/16
Key stats: 5.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.4 spg
Pelicans guard Dyson Daniels’ 2023-24 NBA season overview
Daniels played well enough during his first 52 regular season games that on Feb. 6 the NBA named him as a participant in the Rising Stars competition at All-Star weekend. Unfortunately for the second-year guard, a Feb. 2 ankle injury against the Lakers not only ended his streak of appearing in every New Orleans game, but also prevented him from taking the stage in Indianapolis for the showcase event featuring the league’s premier young players.
“I set some goals at the start of the year, and one of them was to be selected to the Rising Stars team,” he said. “To be selected was an honor and a goal for me. Obviously I was injured and wasn’t able to play in it. I think I took steps forward this year, but I’ve got a long way to go.”
The native of Australia noted during his April 30 exit interview that one area of long-term focus is perimeter shooting, after he’s hovered around 31 percent on three-pointers each of his two NBA seasons. Daniels wants to bump that up to “high 30s, 40s,” which would force defenses to account for his jumper within the Pelicans’ offense.
Daniels continued to be a top defender (tied for 13th among all NBA players in steals at 1.4 per game), while making incremental jumps in other categories.
“I think I took a step from last year in defending, being able to play with a presence, playing with the ball, playmaker for my teammates,” he said. “Growth in a little bit of everything in my game. There’s a lot more growth I have left in me. I’m looking forward to showing that in Year 3.”
Dyson Daniels Top Plays | 2023‑24 NBA Season Highlights
Dyson Daniels' Pelicans Podcast recap
Pelicans radio color analyst John DeShazier recaps New Orleans Pelicans guard Dyson Daniels' 2023-24 NBA season.
Dyson Daniels' per-game stats from the 2023-24 NBA season
| GP | GS | MIN | FG% | 3P% | FT% | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dyson Daniels | 61 | 16 | 22.3 | 44.7% | 31.1% | 64.2% | 3.9 | 2.7 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 5.8 |
Photos: Dyson Daniels 2023‑24 Season in Review
1 / 27NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 14: Dyson Daniels #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans walks backcourt during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Smoothie King Center on April 14, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Lakers defeated the Pelicans 124-108. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
Dyson Daniels by the numbers
3
Rank among all NBA players for Daniels in steals per 36 minutes (minimum 50 regular season games played). His rate of 2.3 thefts per 36 trailed only Portland ace defending wing Matisse Thybulle (2.7) and Brooklyn guard Dennis Smith Jr. (2.3). Pelicans teammate Jose Alvarado ranked sixth on that list (2.1).
10
NBA players born in Australia who appeared in at least one game during the 2023-24 season. Several of them will be part of the national team that competes in the Olympics in France. “I’ve got a big summer ahead of me, the Olympics coming up,” Daniels said April 30. “I think I took big steps this year. Hopefully next year I can make an even bigger jump.”
13
Daniels rank all-time among Australian-born players in career NBA games played (120). He’ll move into the top dozen of that list if he plays 36 or more games in 2024-25, sliding ahead of center Chris Anstey (1998-2000 with Dallas and Chicago).
Dyson Daniels’ three most notable games
#1, Jan. 7, New Orleans 133, Sacramento 100
Daniels played in all six victories over the Kings, including his top offensive performance of the season. He was perfect from the field and three-point range (6/6, 2/2), finishing with 14 points, five rebounds and six assists in Golden 1 Center.
#2, Nov. 17, New Orleans 115, Denver 110
A home victory over the defending NBA champions was critical in the Pelicans eventually qualifying for the In-Season Tournament knockout rounds. Daniels started and produced 10 points, eight boards, seven assists and three steals.
#3, Jan. 13, New Orleans 118, Dallas 108
An extremely shorthanded Pelicans squad benefited greatly from one of his best all-around showings, featuring 10 points, six rebounds and seven assists in Texas. His 38 minutes were the second-most he logged all season.
Dyson Daniels’ player participation report
A severely sprained right ankle sidelined him for 21 consecutive games from early February through late March, but he appeared in each of the first 52 contests, as well as the final nine of the regular season. Those 61 games played were only two more than his rookie tally, but with an increased role, Daniels logged 1,358 total minutes, compared to 1,042 in Year 1.