Aussie young gun Dyson Daniels received his Most Improved Player of the Year Award for his breakout 2024/25 season for the Atlanta Hawks.

But the Hawks’ comeback over the red-hot Detroit Pistons fell short on Wednesday (all times AEDT) in a 120-112 Detroit win.

With it, Detroit, the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 13-2 record, extended its winning streak to 11 games and snapped Atlanta’s run of five-straight victories.

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Daniels received the Most Improved Player of the Year accolade ahead of Wednesday’s contest in Atlanta.

He led the league in steals per game (three) and also averaged 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in a brilliant first season for Atlanta after being traded from New Orleans.

Daniels became the first player in three decades to average three steals per game and he also made the NBA All-Defensive First Team.

Dyson Daniels guards Cade Cunningham (AP Photo/Erik Rank)Source: AP

But the Aussie’s Hawks weren’t able to continue their strong run on Wednesday with Detroit in town, despite a strong fourth quarter fightback from Quin Snyder’s team.

Atlanta, who trailed by as much as 19 in the first half, was down 94-84 at the final change.

The hosts clawed their way back in during the fourth term including Daniels’ layup getting them within one point at 99-98 with 6:50 remaining.

After Detroit pushed its lead back out to double figures over the following three minutes, Nickeil Alexander-Walker got hot down the stretch, scoring eight-straight points to cut the deficit back down to 108-106.

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But Cade Cunningham responded with two big buckets inside the final minute and a half and the Pistons held on despite Vit Krejci nailing two triples in the final 30 seconds to give Atlanta a glimmer of hope.

Cunningham’s 25 points led all Pistons starters in double figures, with the superstar guard adding six rebounds and 10 assists.

Daniels racked up 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals and Jalen Johnson led the Hawks with 25 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, three steals and a block.

With it, Daniels extended his consecutive games streak with a steal to 67 — the fourth-longest in NBA history.

Atlanta, who was without Kristaps Porzingis (knee) in addition to Trae Young’s (MCL) ongoing absence, fell to 9-6 overall to sit sixth in the East.

LEBRON TO MAKE SEASON DEBUT AFTER INJURY

It came on a day LeBron James will make his season debut for the LA Lakers against the Utah Jazz after missing the first 14 games of the campaign with sciatica.

The four-time NBA champion and four-time NBA Most Valuable Player will take the court in a league-record 23rd career campaign at home against Utah.

Spectrum SportsNet, the local Lakers telecaster, reported that Lakers coach JJ Redick said James was “trending in the right direction” to make his season debut against the Jazz.

The 40-year-old superstar missed the first 14 games of the season with nerve pain in his back and lower right side.

Without him, the Lakers went 10-4 and stand fourth in the Western Conference. James, the NBA’s all-time scoring leader, practiced with the Lakers on Monday and had no pain or soreness after his first game-style workout with the club since last season’s playoffs.

-With AFP

ALL RESULTS

Warriors 113 Magic 121

Celtics 113 Nets 99

Pistons 120 Hawks 112

Grizzlies 101 Spurs 111

Jazz – Lakers

Suns – Trail Blazers