ATLANTA – The Atlanta Hawks are soaring in the Eastern Conference, and a significant catalyst for their success is the unexpected rise of guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Acquired in free agency last summer, Alexander-Walker isn’t just filling a role; he’s exceeding expectations, averaging a career-best 20.4 points per game and establishing himself as a legitimate contender for the 2025-26 Kia Most Improved Player award. The Hawks, currently 42-33, have seen a marked improvement in their performance, fueled by Alexander-Walker’s scoring prowess and all-around impact.
What’s driving this transformation? It’s a story of belief, opportunity, and a player finally realizing his full potential. Hawks coach Quin Snyder saw something in Alexander-Walker that the guard himself hadn’t fully grasped – a ceiling far higher than previously imagined. “He saw a ceiling higher for myself than I did,” Alexander-Walker told NBA.com. “And that was really cool for me because I felt like in my career I’ve never had that before.” Snyder envisioned a player capable of averaging 20 points, elevating his playmaking, and maintaining a strong defensive presence, and he’s provided the environment for Alexander-Walker to flourish.
The 6-foot-5 guard’s journey to this point hasn’t been linear. Drafted 17th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019, Alexander-Walker experienced multiple trades, landing with the Portland Trail Blazers and then the Utah Jazz before a stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was in Minnesota that he began to solidify his role as a valuable 3-and-D wing, contributing to the Timberwolves’ runs to the Western Conference Finals in both 2024 and 2025. However, playing alongside stars like Anthony Edwards and, at times, Julius Randle or Karl-Anthony Towns, his offensive opportunities were often limited.
But Alexander-Walker made the most of his opportunities when they arose. He demonstrated flashes of his scoring ability, notably putting up 23 points on efficient shooting against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of the 2025 Western Conference Finals according to NBA.com. This performance, and his consistent defensive effort, caught the attention of teams across the league when he entered free agency. His role in Minnesota, as he described it, was focused on “corner 3, get to the paint, eyes out, defend,” a role he embraced and excelled in, ultimately positioning him for a larger opportunity.
A Familiar Voice, A New Vision
The connection with Snyder wasn’t entirely new. Alexander-Walker and Snyder had a brief period together in Utah during the 2021-22 season. While short-lived, Snyder clearly remembered Alexander-Walker’s potential. He followed his career closely, believing that with the right development program, the guard could consistently be a 20-point scorer. “He said these are things we’ll need you to do,” Alexander-Walker recalled. “And those things weren’t things that I was asked to do my previous years. Just the ability to take contested shots. He was like, ‘Hey, there might come a time throughout the game we might need you to take a contested shot.’ ”
That simple shift in perspective – the encouragement to embrace more offensive responsibility, even with difficult shots – proved pivotal. Snyder’s belief wasn’t just about scoring; it was about empowering Alexander-Walker to become a true “decision-maker” on the court. This trust was immediately apparent, even through a slow start to the season where he shot just 2-for-15 from three-point range in his first two games with the Hawks. Snyder’s message remained consistent: stay aggressive, keep shooting.
The results speak for themselves. After a modest 21-point outing in his sixth game, Alexander-Walker embarked on a remarkable stretch, scoring at least 20 points in 15 of his next 22 games. A career-high 38-point performance against the San Antonio Spurs on November 20 as highlighted by NBA.com signaled his arrival as a legitimate offensive threat. He then exploded for 41 points against the Orlando Magic on March 16, shooting 12-for-21 from the field, 9-for-14 from three-point range, and 8-for-9 from the free-throw line, adding seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
March Momentum and a Potential Award
That 41-point game ignited a dominant stretch for both Alexander-Walker and the Hawks. Atlanta went 12-2 in March, climbing from ninth to sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings. During that month, Alexander-Walker led the team in scoring, averaging 22.7 points and 3.9 assists per game while shooting 52.8% from the field, 46.8% from three-point range, and an impressive 94.2% from the free-throw line. His true shooting percentage of 70.3% was the best among all guards who played at least 10 games and 20 minutes per game according to NBA.com’s advanced stats.
Snyder emphasizes that Alexander-Walker’s success isn’t solely about the results, but about the process. “The thing that we’ve tried to impress upon him from the outset is that we need his aggressiveness (and) for him to understand that that’s not tied to whether or not the shot goes in,” Snyder explained. “If you aren’t finding efficiency in some of those situations, let’s gaze at them. Let’s work on them.” Snyder credits Alexander-Walker’s strong work ethic as a key factor in his rapid improvement and ability to adapt.
Gratitude and a Village
Alexander-Walker himself attributes his success to a combination of opportunity, trust, and a strong support system. He describes this season as “the most fun I’ve had playing basketball,” emphasizing his focus on continuous improvement rather than solely on statistics. “I get to go on my own journey with all that I’ve learned, and I’ve tried not to think about averaging X-amount of points or doing X-amount of things with more usage. My mindset is ‘just get better.’ ”
He readily acknowledges the people who have helped him along the way, naming his wife, Sara, son, Nate, mother, Nicole, coach Snyder, personal trainer Nem, and a close circle of friends – Cali, Jalen, Shandon, Vince, Ashton, James, Kendall, and B. Bailey. “Everyone named was part of my village from the summer to this year,” he said, “and they’ve been tremendous.”
As the Hawks push towards the playoffs, Alexander-Walker’s continued development will be crucial. The team’s success, and his candidacy for Most Improved Player, hinge on his ability to maintain this level of performance. The next key date for the Hawks is the conclusion of the regular season on April 14th, which will determine their playoff seeding and opponent. The Hawks will then begin their playoff journey, with Alexander-Walker poised to be a key contributor.
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