Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Endorses Nickeil Alexander-Walker for NBA's Most Improved Player

The Thunder star believes his cousin deserves the award after a breakout season with the Hawks.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:35pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the abstracted forms of basketball players in motion, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape conveying the energy and dynamism of the sport.Nickeil Alexander-Walker's breakout season has earned him high praise from his cousin, the reigning NBA MVP.Atlanta Today

Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker is having a breakout season, averaging a career-high 20.9 points per game and leading his team to the playoffs. His cousin, Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, recently endorsed Alexander-Walker for the NBA's Most Improved Player award, saying "he better win." The race for the award has been tight, but Alexander-Walker's dominant play since March has made him the frontrunner.

Why it matters

Alexander-Walker's rise to stardom this season has been remarkable, going from a role player averaging just 9.4 points per game last year to a leading scorer and playoff-bound team. His cousin Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, recognizing his growth and publicly endorsing him for the Most Improved Player award further cements Alexander-Walker's status as one of the league's most improved players.

The details

After averaging 9.4 points per game last season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Alexander-Walker is now putting up 20.9 points per game for the Atlanta Hawks, helping lead them to their first playoff appearance in years. While other players like Ryan Rollins and Jalen Duren have also taken big leaps, Alexander-Walker's impact on winning sets him apart as the Most Improved Player frontrunner.

  • Alexander-Walker has been dominant since the beginning of March, solidifying his case for the award.
  • Gilgeous-Alexander made his endorsement comments after the Thunder's victory over the Hawks on April 8, 2026.

The players

Nickeil Alexander-Walker

A seventh-year guard for the Atlanta Hawks who is having a breakout season, averaging a career-high 20.9 points per game and leading his team to the playoffs.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The reigning NBA MVP and Nickeil Alexander-Walker's cousin, who plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Ryan Rollins

A player who has also taken a big leap this season, though his team has not seen the same level of success as the Hawks.

Jalen Duren

A rising star who has helped the Detroit Pistons improve their record, but may fall short of the Most Improved Player award due to his already high status entering the season.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, he better win.”

— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder Star

What’s next

If the Hawks and Thunder meet in the NBA Finals, it would set up an intriguing matchup between cousins Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who have both taken major steps forward this season.

The takeaway

Nickeil Alexander-Walker's breakout season has been recognized by the league's elite, including his cousin Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP. Alexander-Walker's dominant play since March has made him the frontrunner for the NBA's Most Improved Player award, cementing his status as one of the league's rising stars.