NEW ORLEANS — Dyson Daniels, a guard for the Atlanta Hawks, firmly denies any intent to simulate shooting a gun toward his former teammates during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans, where the Hawks won 126-111 on Sunday night.
“I was simply indicating that it was a three-pointer,” Daniels explained regarding his gesture, which involved extending his right arm towards the Pelicans’ bench with his thumb and two fingers raised. “I wanted to ensure they knew it counted for three points.”
When questioned about how his action could be interpreted as mimicking a gun, he clarified, “It might have looked that way, but it was just a signal about the score. I wanted to point out how many points I was making.”
The NBA has a history of imposing fines for gun-like gestures, including noteworthy penalties like $35,000 levied against Josh Jackson in 2017 and $25,000 against Gerald Green in 2015. Furthermore, Ja Morant faced a 25-game suspension earlier this year after he was filmed brandishing an actual firearm on social media.
Some players on the Pelicans’ bench called for officials to assess a technical foul for unsportsmanlike behavior against Daniels. “The referee didn’t call it, so I guess he thought it was fine,” said Daniels, who was drafted eighth overall by the Pelicans in 2022. “I was just having a good time out there, particularly in a game I had marked as significant.”
Daniels and Larry Nance Jr., who now plays for the Hawks, were both traded from New Orleans to Atlanta last offseason as part of a deal that brought point guard Dejounte Murray to the Pelicans. Murray missed Sunday’s game as he is recuperating from a broken hand expected to sideline him for four to six weeks.
When asked for his take on the Pelicans bench’s reaction, Nance humorously opted not to comment. He, too, engaged in some playful back-and-forth with them, notably after a dunk in the third quarter followed by a playful kiss blown to the bench after hitting a three-pointer. “There are competitors, and we share a friendship, so teasing is part of it,” Nance noted.
“Everyone in that locker room holds a special place in my heart,” he continued. “This was a fun experience, and I’m glad we came out with the win.”
Daniels ended the night with 16 points in his return from a two-game absence due to a hip strain, which he confirmed had not been an issue anymore. “Even if I wasn’t feeling my best, I was determined to play in this game,” he remarked, sharing how he felt when he learned of his trade from New Orleans. “It came as a surprise to me. This city and team were my starting point in the league; they drafted me and supported me immensely. But trades are part of the business, and I’ve moved forward. I’m genuinely enjoying my time in Atlanta.”
Nance contributed 14 points, and the match saw moments of tension, including a flagrant foul on Hawks guard Garrison Matthews for a hard hit on Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado, which raised eyebrows. Alvarado reacted angrily, claiming his intent was to ask Matthews what had happened. “It didn’t seem aggressive; it felt like a cheap shot. I still don’t know what the purpose of that was,” Alvarado said, amid teammates trying to calm him down.