Daniels steals Boomers teammate's limelight

• Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels go head-to-head
• Josh Green and Patty Mills go head-to-head
• Green and Daniels win the battle of the Australians

Australian Boomers starting backcourt went head-to-head on Thursday, January 16, 2025 — and it was the NBA steals leader Dyson Daniels, who won the day against Josh Giddey.

Atlanta Hawks soared to a 110-94 win against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. The Hawks' sharpshooting guard Keaton Wallace led the charge with a career-high 27 points, including four three-pointers, as Atlanta strengthened their playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.

Daniels 18 points, eight boards, three assists and right around his league-leading average, three steals. He went 7-from-16 from the field. Meanwhile, Giddey struggled. He was 3-from-8 from the field for seven points but he grabbed 10 rebounds, had three assists and two blocks.

The Hawks wasted no time asserting their dominance, racing out to a 61-47 halftime lead. Atlanta held the Bulls to a dismal 22.2% from beyond the arc.

While the Bulls mounted a spirited third-quarter comeback, cutting the deficit to single digits, Atlanta proved too much to overcome. The Hawks' bench, led by veteran centre Onyeka Okongwu's 14 points and 13 rebounds, outscored Chicago's reserves 39-32.

The stark contrast in three-point shooting told the story. Atlanta connected on 13-from-43 attempts from long range (30.2%), while Chicago managed just 6-from-27 (22.2%), a 21-point differential.

For Chicago, Coby White led the Bulls with 16 points, but shot just 5-from-14 from the field. All-Star guard Zach LaVine added 15 points and seven assists.

The victory improves Atlanta's record to 21-19, solidifying their hold on the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, Chicago falls to 18-23,.

Charlotte Hornets @ Utah Jazz

Australian Boomers teammates Patty Mills and Josh Green went at it the Charlotte Hornets 117-112 win against the home team Utah Jazz.

Green was +11 in 22 minutes and is in the line-up for his defence. He finished with three points, three rebounds, and an assist while Mills came off the bench, played 13 minutes — filling up from three. Mills went 3-from-4 from downtown and finished with 11 points and an assist.

Houston Rockets @ Denver Nuggets

Australian centre Jock Landale was another DNP-coach's decision in the Rockets 128-108 road win against the former NBA World Champions Denver Nuggets.

Dallas Mavericks @ New Orleans Pelicans

Dante Exum is still out of the Mavericks line-up.

Brooklyn Nets @ LA Clippers

Ben Simmons didn't play against the Los Angeles Clippers in what can only be described as a butt-kicking. The Clippers won 126-67. Enough said.