Grant Afseth and TJ French break down Atlanta's four-game win streak, Nickeil Alexander-Walker's MIP case, and the Hawks' first-round playoff picture.
The Hawks Roundtable Podcast is back, and hosts Grant Afseth and TJ French had plenty to work through. Atlanta has four games left, a playoff spot nearly sewn up, and a team playing some of its best basketball of the year.
Monday's episode was recorded before tip-off against New York. On the docket: Atlanta's four-game win streak, what Jock Landale's high ankle sprain means for the roster, Tony Bradley's signing, and where the most improved player race stands heading into April.
Atlanta enters Monday's contest having won four straight, with victories over Sacramento, Boston, Orlando, and Brooklyn. The Hawks are 8-2 in their last 10 games and sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference standings, two games ahead of Philadelphia and Toronto.
"They're looking to extend their home winning streak to 14 games," French said. "That to me is just the storyline of the Hawks' second half of the season."
Alexander-Walker dominated the bulk of the discussion, as he has averaged 22.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists since the All-Star break while shooting 51.4% from the field, 45.3% from 3-point range, and 93.5% from the free throw line. FanDuel Sportsbook currently lists him as the MIP favorite at minus-200.
"It really is starting to look like one of the best contracts, if not the best contract in the NBA this season," French said.
Afseth noted Alexander-Walker has more than doubled his scoring average from 9.4 points per game last season with Minnesota to 20.6 with Atlanta, while also improving his steal rate, free throw volume, and 3-point efficiency simultaneously.
The hosts also addressed Landale's high ankle sprain, sustained against Orlando, with a two-week reevaluation timeline that both Afseth and French suggested likely extends beyond the start of the playoffs. Atlanta signed center Tony Bradley in response.
On potential first-round matchups, French expressed more concern about Cleveland than New York, citing the Cavaliers' frontcourt depth and James Harden's playoff experience. Afseth me,ntioned Donovan Mitchell's history playing under Hawks head coach Quin Snyder with the Utah Jazz as an intriguing subplot.