Dyson Daniels shines in loss as Tyrese Proctor and Joe Ingles miss out on Playoff Game 1 minutes<\/p>\n
Sydney point guard Tyrese Proctor’s Cleveland Cavaliers went 1-0 against the Toronto Raptors, Dyson Daniels’ Atlanta Hawks 0-1 against the New York Knicks and veteran Joe Ingles’ Minnesota Timberwolves 0-1 against arch rivals Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs today (AEDT).<\/p>\n
Daniels, 22, was the only Australian player to log minutes as Proctor and Ingles were both DNP-coach’s decisions.<\/p>\n
Daniels’ Australian Boomers teammate Jock Landale is out injured and is unlikely to be available for the first round.<\/p>\n
East 1st Round \u2013 Game 1NBA Scores: New York Knicks 113 def. Atlanta Hawks 102\u200d<\/p>\n
Madison Square Garden \u2013 New York
Series: NY leads 1\u20130<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Game SnapshotQuarter Scores: ATL 24\u201331\u201319\u201328 (102) \u2502 NY 30\u201327\u201326\u201330 (113)Largest Lead: New York +19Game Flow: Fast start from both teams before New York\u2019s third-quarter control and late run sealed it.<\/p>\n
The opener began at pace, with both teams shooting efficiently early. Jalen Brunson set the tone immediately, scoring 19 first-quarter points as New York built a six-point edge. Atlanta responded in the second behind CJ McCollum, trimming the margin to two at halftime (57\u201355), but the tempo slowed dramatically after the break.<\/p>\n
The third quarter turned physical and fragmented, with fouls, reviews and disrupted offensive rhythm. That played into New York\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n
With the game still within reach late, the Knicks found separation through Karl-Anthony Towns, who took over after halftime. A decisive 10\u20130 run midway through the fourth quarter pushed the lead beyond 15, creating enough buffer to withstand a late Atlanta push.<\/p>\n
Dyson Daniels \u2014 Box Score Analysis<\/p>\n
Australian guard Dyson Daniels<\/a> played a high-impact, low-usage role across 36 minutes:<\/p>\n 4 points \u2502 2-of-7 FG \u2502 9 rebounds \u2502 11 assists \u2502 3 steals \u2502 -3 +\/-<\/p>\n Daniels operated as a connector within Atlanta\u2019s offence, facilitating possessions and generating transition opportunities. His 11 assists led the Hawks, while his defensive activity (three steals) disrupted New York\u2019s perimeter actions.<\/p>\n Jock Landale \u2014 Status<\/p>\n Jock Landale<\/a> did not feature and is out injured, remaining unavailable for the rest of the season.<\/p>\n Key PerformersJalen Brunson (NY) \u2013 28 points, 7 assistsKarl-Anthony Towns (NY) \u2013 25 points (19 in second half)OG Anunoby (NY) \u2013 18 pointsJosh Hart (NY) \u2013 11 points, 14 reboundsCJ McCollum (ATL) \u2013 26 pointsJalen Johnson (ATL) \u2013 23 pointsBy the NumbersField Goal %: NY 48% \u2502 ATL 44%3PT Shooting: NY 12-of-25 \u2502 ATL 14-of-37Free Throws: NY 25-of-30 \u2502 ATL 12-of-19Rebounds: NY 45 \u2502 ATL 40Assists: ATL 25 \u2502 NY 22West 1st Round \u2013 Game 1NBA Scores: Denver Nuggets 116 def. Minnesota Timberwolves 105\u200d<\/p>\n Ball Arena \u2013 Denver Game SnapshotQuarter Scores: MIN 33\u201329\u201317\u201326 (105) \u2502 DEN 23\u201339\u201329\u201325 (116)Largest Lead: Denver +14Game Flow: Minnesota jumped early before Denver flipped control in the second, then broke the game open with a decisive third-quarter run in a physical contest.<\/p>\n Denver absorbed an early punch, trailing by double digits in the first quarter as Minnesota\u2019s starters set the tone. The response came quickly.<\/p>\n A 39-point second quarter steadied the Nuggets before a defining stretch in the third quarter \u2013 a 17\u20132 run \u2013 created separation. Minnesota\u2019s offence stalled during that window, going more than four minutes without a score as Denver\u2019s pressure and execution lifted.<\/p>\n The Timberwolves trimmed the margin to two late (97\u201395), but Nikola Jokic steadied the game with a quick scoring burst, while a broken-possession sequence led to an Aaron Gordon dunk that effectively sealed it inside the final two minutes.<\/p>\n It was a grimy, whistle-heavy playoff opener \u2013 42 fouls, multiple technicals, and a clear edge of physicality between two familiar Western Conference rivals.<\/p>\n Joe Ingles \u2014 Box Score Analysis<\/p>\n
Series: DEN leads 1\u20130<\/p>\n<\/p>\n