Aussie NBA player Dyson Daniels bites back after getting ‘clotheslined’ against Brooklyn

Australian NBA player Dyson Daniels got caught in a fiery fracas during Atlanta’s season-opening clash with Brooklyn on Thursday (AEDT).

The 21-year-old Aussie was flying towards the basket on a fast break when he was flagrantly fouled by Nets centre Nic Claxton and crashed into the floor.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Dyson Daniels furious after getting clotheslined in NBA.

Claxton had already taken a few steps into the crowd behind the basket when he was shoved further by Daniels, who had bounced up from the floor to remonstrate with him.

The pair exchanged words and were tangled for a few seconds before they were broken up by others.

The referee was the first to get to them before players from both teams helped split them up.

Nets coach Jordi Fernandez was quickly on the scene, too, dragging Claxton out of the fracas who was then ejected from the game.

“Daniels, look out!” commentator Ryan Ruocco said during the play.

“That was a hard foul from Nic Claxton, and Daniels comes after Claxton! They’re fives rows deep getting into it!

“Security stepping in, Jordi Fernandez goes and gets his player.”

Brooklyn Nets beat reporter Erik Slater said: “Nic Claxton just clotheslined Dyson Daniels on a fastbreak layup. Daniels went after him after.

“It’s a Flagrant 2, so Claxton is ejected. He’s had too many of these plays throughout his career. Often late in close games.”

Meantime, injury-plagued star and fellow Aussie Ben Simmons begun his seventh NBA campaign with big minutes and positive numbers, but went down to Daniels’ Hawks in Atlanta.

The former top draft pick, one of 14 Australians suiting up for the season, registered six points, five rebounds and eight assists in 24-plus minutes as his Brooklyn Nets lost 120-116 to the Hawks.

The 28-year-old has been restricted to only 58 of a possible 200 games since relocating from Philadelphia in February 2022 as part of a trade that sent former NBA MVP James Harden to the 76ers.

Back issues have been chief among his concerns, keeping him to only 15 games last season and dashing his hopes of playing in the Boomers’ Olympic campaign in Paris.

Daniels had a memorable night in his Atlanta debut after being traded by the New Orleans Pelicans, and not just for his clash with Claxton. The Bendigo native had 15 points, five boards and two assists.

Brooklyn’s Cameron Thomas led all scorers with 36, while the Hawks’ Trae Young registered a double-double including 30 points and 12 assists.

In Philadelphia, Milwaukee enjoyed a 124-109 win over the Sixers.

Joel Embiid and off-season acquisition Paul George were both missing for the hosts with knee complaints, while Khris Middleton (ankle) was out for the Bucks so Damian Lillard (30 points) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (25 points, 14 rebounds) stood up for the visiting team.

Elsewhere, the Cleveland Cavaliers thrashed the Raptors 136-106 in Toronto, the Indiana Pacers stormed home in the fourth to pip the Pistons 115-109 in Detroit and the Orlando Magic beat the Miami Heat 116-97 in the Florida derby.

Later on Thursday (AEDT), Aussies Josh Giddey (Chicago Bulls), Patty Mills (Utah Jazz), Matisse Thybulle and Duop Reath (both Portland Trail Blazers) and Jock Landale (Houston Rockets) are also in action.

- With AAP