Dyson Daniels returns to New Orleans, taunts the bench, video, Atlanta Hawks vs. New Orleans Pelicans, Ben Simmons in Brooklyn Nets' loss to Detroit Pistons, open lane passes, scores, results, highlights, breaking news

Dyson Daniels shone on his return to the pitch against his former team.

Additionally, it was a mixed game from Ben Simmons in Brooklyn's loss to Detroit, and a question remains about his role going forward.

Read on for the latest information on our NBA wrap from Monday's action (all times AEDT).

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DANIELS SHINE IN PELICANS REVENGE GAME

You get the feeling that Dyson Daniels was never missing against his former team. As the young Australian himself said: “He had this one circled.”

Dyson shined in his return from a hip injury in his first meeting with the New Orleans Pelicans since his offseason trade in the Atlanta Hawks' 126-111 road win.

Back after a two-game absence, Daniels did a little bit of everything – he scored 16 points on 7 of 10 shooting as well as two triples, five rebounds, three assists and a steal in just 25 minutes, continuing his breakout season.

After his second 3-pointer in the fourth quarter, the 21-year-old turned to the Pelicans bench and taunted them with a goal celebration.

However, it was all love after the game as Daniels warmly hugged his former teammates and staff, as well as some fans.

“It was a lot of fun, you know. “Achieved that, coming back here and playing in front of the crowd that drafted me,” Daniels said after the game.

“I'm glad we got the win, that's the most important thing. But I also met some good friends, which was definitely fun.”

Jalen Johnson started for Atlanta with 29 points on 12 of 20 shooting, nine rebounds, eight assists, two steals and two blocks, while Trae Young dropped 23 points with five three-pointers and 12 assists as the Hawks' four-game losing streak improved to 3 -4.

Brandon Ingram scored a game-high 32 points in a loss, with the forward playing heavily for the undermanned Pelicans, who are now 3-4.

They were missing virtually their entire starting lineup with Zion Williamson, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy, CJ McCollum and Dejounte Murray, who was traded for Daniels, all sidelined with injuries.

Atlanta also remains banged up with Bogdan Bogdanovic and De'Andre Hunter sidelined, while Onyeka Okongwu (toe) was managed on the front end of a back-to-back game.

MIXED SIMMONS PLAY IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROLE QUESTION

Ben Simmons' Nets fell to the Detroit Pistons 106-92 in an early morning clash on Monday, snapping a two-game winning streak for Brooklyn.

Simmons led the 3-4 Nets in rebounds (six) and assists (six), but scored just four points on 2-of-4 shooting from the field with one steal in 24 minutes as the team continues to be conservative with its playing time .

Cam Johnson led all scorers with 26 points, while Cade Cunningham topped all five Pistons starters in double figures as the visiting team went 2-5 and picked up its second win of the season.

It was a mixed bag for Simmons, who defeated Josh Giddey over the weekend in the Aussies' first-ever NBA match, in a crucial contract season in which Simmons is playing for a new contract.

The Australian's high-octane style of play was on full display against Detroit, including some eye-catching and effective moments.

But the four shot attempts show that Simmons still isn't aggressive with his shot compared to the All-Star Simmons of yesteryear, who can constantly put pressure on the defense and get to the rim at will.

That included a play in the second quarter in which Simmons ran down the field on a fast break and had a clear lane, but stopped and passed the ball to teammate Cam Johnson at the 3-point line, resulting in a turnover.

Moments like these make it clear that Simmons still lacks confidence in his scoring game, an issue that has plagued him in recent seasons.

In fact, Simmons has only attempted a total of four free throws this season – all of which came in one game against the Orlando Magic – a significant drop from his average when he averaged just under five per game in his first four NBA seasons.

The 28-year-old was replaced by Nic Claxton during the fourth quarter, which was not uncommon for Simmons as the Nets manage his minutes.

However, there are questions about Simmons' role moving forward with Claxton, himself on a tighter minutes restriction, now recovering from a hamstring strain and slowly inching toward a full workload.

Simmons has essentially played point center for the Nets so far this season, and given the space issues, it's difficult for him and Claxton to share the court frequently. Therefore, Simmons and Claxton's roles are inextricably linked.

After missing pre-season training with a thigh problem, Claxton had to come off the bench in six of his seven appearances in the regular season as his performance improved.

The opportunity he missed came when he was denied victory in Memphis at the end of a duel

But the fewer minutes he has, the closer he gets to the starting lineup.

“As far as minutes are concerned, of course it is my secret that I will keep for myself and my team, especially before games. But he did well. We like where he is at the moment,” said coach Jordi Fernandez at the weekend.

“Him sitting out one of the two games was part of the plan because we have to be careful. Health is the most important thing.

“Right now we just want him to play consistently every game but also play more minutes. It will happen. Of course, in the end I won’t say when, but (everyone) will see it.”

With the Nets playing back-to-back games this week – Monday against the Pistons and Tuesday's rematch against the Grizzlies, then Saturday in Boston and Sunday in Cleveland – the question is when he will be ready to play both ends .

“I want to see Nic play every game,” Fernandez said. “We will assess him and then decide whether he will play in the first, second or both games. And there is a chance for everything. It just depends on how he feels.”

Simmons, meanwhile, sat out back-to-back games against Denver in Game 1 last week, with his status for this week's heavy workload unknown.

Backup center Day'Ron Sharpe will be out for several more weeks with his own hamstring injury. But Trendon Watford, who has been out since the second day of camp, is close to a return.

Watford had originally been cleared to make his season debut on Saturday and was listed as available before being ruled out after his left hamstring flared up during the warm-up.

“He's worked really hard to get healthy and it's just good to have him around. Just such good energy, great personality,” Fernandez said. “I have to help him get back into the rhythm. He’ll do it.”

Watford carved out a role as a second playmaker and point forward at the end of last season. It's unclear what role he will play now, especially with Simmons healthy.

“That's a good question. I think he'll let me know. He will show me. That’s what players do,” Fernandez said. “These guys are so good and they just teach you, show you.

“I'm sure he could be an excellent ballplayer, he can shoot well. I want it to do almost everything efficiently and be very versatile. So that means he has more chances to play more minutes because the more things you do, the more chances you have to play. I’m excited to see it.”

– Portions of this story were originally published in the New York Post and reproduced with permission.

ALL RESULTS

PISTON 106 NETS 92

HAWKS 126 PELICANS 111

MAGIC 85 Outsiders 108