From role player to Most Improved Player, Nickeil Alexander-Walker shattered franchise records and emerged as a premier scoring threat following a historic, career-defining breakout in Atlanta.
Before the 2025-26, a big question surrounding the Atlanta Hawks was, outside of Trae Young (who was traded mid-season), who would be able to make 3-pointers on a consistent basis.
Insert Nickeil Alexander-Walker, a free agent signing last summer. Alexander-Walker enjoyed the best season of his NBA career by nearly doubling his career scoring average with the Hawks. It was one of the best signings in the NBA from a standpoint of production, consistency, and impact.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker took home the Most Improved Player award and broke the franchise record for most 3-pointers made in a single season. Alexander-Walker had always been a good shooter, but on previous teams, he did not take as many shots, which was a big reason for his emergence with Atlanta.
Alexander-Walker's 2025-26 stats: 78 games played (71 starts), 20.8 PPG, 1.3 SPG, 46% field-goal shooting, 40% 3-point percentage, 15.3 FGA (field goals attemped/game).
As mentioned, a major reason Alexander-Walker had such an impact with the Hawks this season was taking more shots. It was a true career year for NAW, and he quickly became the Hawks' second scoring option behind Jalen Johnson by the mid-point of the season. He also posted a career-high scoring night with 41 points against the Orlando Magic in March. A major reason the Hawks were able to turn their scoring output around in March/April due to NAW's increased scoring. He averaged 23+ points for March.
He also emerged as a true leader on the Hawks this season, which was a big reason why he gained so much attention across the NBA landscape. Very notably, NAW is the cousin of Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
In terms of growth, development, and rise to 'stardom', NAW went from a career role player to a playmaker that opposing defenses must account for at any time on the court.
The future for the Atlanta Hawks is bright, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a big reason why.
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