After missing out on the Defensive Player of the Year trophy, Dyson Daniels’ breakout season with the Atlanta Hawks was finally rewarded with the 2025 Most Improved Player of the Year award.
Daniels won the award over fellow finalists Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac and Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham by garnering 44 first-place votes, 36 second-place votes, and four third-place votes for 332 points.
The Australian international became the second player in Atlanta Hawks history to win the coveted award, joining Alan Henderson in 1997-98.
In his third season and first with Atlanta, Daniels averaged 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 3.0 steals on 49.3 percent shooting from the field across 76 starts, earning the reputation of being one of the league’s most versatile defenders.
Atlanta Hawks News: Dyson Daniels reveals big dream after winning 2025 MIP
Dyson Daniels believes he can win the Most Improved Player of the Year award again. The Atlanta Hawks also said he dreams of representing his team in the NBA All-Star Game one day.
“I really believe I could win this award twice because I’ve got so much more left in me. For me, it’s gonna be about taking that next step, next year, and setting new goals,” Daniels said on NBA on TNT. “I want to be an All-Star in this league, and I want to be a championship player.”
The Atlanta Hawks were the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 40-42 regular season record, but lost back-to-back games against the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat during the play-in tournament.
