Hawks’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker Wins Most Improved Player Award After Career-Best Season

Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been named this season’s Most Improved Player, capping off a remarkable transformation that saw him evolve from a bench contributor to a franchise cornerstone. The Atlanta Hawks guard’s recognition marks a historic achievement for the organization, as they become the first team to produce back-to-back Most Improved Player winners.

The 6-foot-5 guard posted career-high numbers across multiple categories, averaging 20.8 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.4 rebounds while adding 1.3 steals per game. His improvement was nothing short of spectacular, increasing his scoring output by 11.4 points from his previous season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he averaged just 9.4 points coming off the bench. This represents the third-highest single-season scoring increase over the past 25 years.

An emotional validation

The award carries deep personal significance for Alexander-Walker, who became visibly emotional while discussing the honor with reporters. « It really validates my feelings, » said the Hawks guard, who appeared to hold back tears during the press conference. « Sometimes I think everyone’s been through that where they feel something and other people might not, and they might not see it yet. And it’s kind of like that told you moment to not make you feel crazy. »

Alexander-Walker’s journey to this recognition wasn’t without its challenges. The veteran guard acknowledged the mental toll of believing in himself when others didn’t share his vision. « A lot of times this game has made me feel delusional and just the beliefs that I had… honestly, it [hasn’t] set in. I go from moments of where I’m ready to break down in tears and then I’m just ready to just scream and just be happy. »

Making his own mark

While Alexander-Walker comes from basketball royalty as the cousin of Oklahoma City’s MVP and Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, this award represents his emergence as a star in his own right. « It’s good to make the family proud, » Alexander-Walker said. « When you’re Shai’s cousin, a lot of times you get referred to as Shai’s cousin. And so now being recognized for being Nickeil Alexander-Walker feels great. »

The seventh-year veteran’s breakout season came at a crucial time for Atlanta. When Trae Young suffered an early-season knee injury and was subsequently traded to Washington, Alexander-Walker stepped up to help keep the Hawks competitive in the playoff race. His consistent scoring—reaching double figures in 76 games—and elite 3-point shooting became essential to the team’s success.

Alexander-Walker set a new franchise record with 251 made 3-points in 2025-2026, ranking fourth league-wide. His commitment to maximizing his opportunity reflects his professional approach: « I think it was the opportunity that I was given and the mindset of just I have to make the most of it. Through different times of my career, when you get something like this, you got to grab it by the horns and just take it for the ride. »