Nickeil Alexander-Walker details his powerful synergy with Jalen Johnson, revealing their mutual growth and shared strategy driving the Hawks' impressive win streak.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jalen Johnson have undoubtedly been the two main catalysts in the Atlanta Hawks' success in recent months.
On Saturday night, the Hawks extended their home winning streak to 12 games after a 123-113 win over the Sacramento Kings. Atlanta is now 22-16 at home this season. Alexander-Walker has averaged 23.1 points per game on 54% shooting since March 1. Johnson is averaging 22.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 8.8 assists since the start of the month.
The Hawks were down several players on Saturday night, including Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu, and Jonathan Kuminga. However, the tandem of Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker prevailed once again.
After the game, NAW was asked about the evolution of playing alongside Jalen Johnson:
“Him and I talk all the time. It’s been cool to band together and really try to figure out how to win. For both of us, it’s our first time in this position, and I think we’ve been leaning on each other to grow, I talk to him a lot about just letting him know things to see."
“Having a partner in crime with him, I’m enjoying it. I’m learning a lot, we’re growing together. It’s fun.”
In the win Saturday night, Jalen Johnson scored 26 points, and Alexander-Walker had a game-high 27.
Alexander-Walker makes a good point about him and Johnson 'banding' together, because this is really the first time that either player has been featured in such a prominent role. It's clear that the Hawks' offense runs through both players, and Atlanta will go as far as NAW and Johnson take them.
However, it's also important to credit the front office for putting the pieces around them to make this team so successful.
Teams around the NBA are starting to take notice of how Atlanta plays strong team basketball, and its unselfish level of play has led to the Hawks being the hottest team in the league since the All-Star break.