Australian Dyson Daniels was involved in a fiery incident which saw Brooklyn Nets big man Nic Claxton ejected for an ugly foul on the Atlanta Hawks guard.
Daniels, who was a standout for the Hawks on the defensive end in Thursday’s game, was clotheslined by Claxton as he went for the fastbreak layup early in the fourth quarter.
Average of 9 LIVE Regular Season games per week plus the best of the NBA Playoffs, including every game of the NBA Conference Finals & NBA Finals LIVE on ESPN, available via Kayo New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.
Daniels dazzles in first game for Hawks | 01:24
YES Network’s Ryan Ruocco said in commentary that it was “excessive” and “unnecessary” from Claxton, describing it as an “obvious” Flagrant 2 foul.
The referees agreed, tossing Claxton, while Daniels was assessed for a technical foul after following Claxton into the stands.
“My goodness. No wonder Dyson was so upset,” Hawks play-by-play commentator Bob Rathbun said.
“That’s just a swing,” added Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins.
“Right up in the face of a guy — you can’t do that.”
Speaking to reporters after the game, Daniels said he had to stick up for himself.
“It was stupid. You don’t go hit someone like that when they’re in the air. I was just letting him know not to do it again,” Daniels said, H/T Leigh Ellis.
“… They made the right call, ejected him, because you can’t do that. It’s not part of our game. We don’t want to see it, it’s how people get hurt. I had to stick up for myself and if they did it to any of our teammates we’re going to stick up for each other as well.
“I knew he was going to try foul me but it was the aggression, how he did it — he went the wrong way about it. But we move on now. It’s in the past. But I just wanted to show a little bit of that Australian spirit, that Bendigo fire.”
Daniels was again involved in another spotfire soon after when Cam Thomas was called for a hard foul on De’Andre Hunter as he went to the basket, with the Australian jumping in to defend his teammate.
Discussion about this post