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Hawks' Nickeil Alexander-Walker Shines as MIP Frontrunner vs. Knicks
The seven-year NBA veteran scored a game-high 36 points in a close loss to New York.
Apr. 7, 2026 at 2:26am
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Nickeil Alexander-Walker's breakout season has him as the frontrunner for the NBA's Most Improved Player award, his explosive scoring ability fueling the Hawks' late-season playoff push.New Orleans TodayAtlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker continued his breakout season with a stellar 36-point performance in a narrow 108-105 loss to the New York Knicks. Alexander-Walker's offensive explosion has him positioned as the frontrunner for the NBA's Most Improved Player award, as he has increased his scoring average from 8.6 points per game over his first six seasons to 20.8 this year.
Why it matters
Alexander-Walker's rise has been a key factor in the Hawks' surge up the Eastern Conference standings since the All-Star break, as the team has gone 19-4 in that span. His individual improvement and the team's success have him firmly in the running for the coveted Most Improved Player award.
The details
Alexander-Walker shot 12-of-19 from the field, including 7-of-11 from three-point range, in the narrow loss to the Knicks. He had 20 points by halftime and finished with a game-high 36, showcasing the offensive explosion that has defined his breakout campaign. The former first-round pick is averaging 23.2 points, 3.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game since mid-February, helping power Atlanta's late-season playoff push.
- On Monday, April 7, 2026, Alexander-Walker had his standout performance against the Knicks.
- Since the All-Star break in mid-February, the Hawks have gone 19-4, with Alexander-Walker averaging 23.2 points per game during that stretch.
The players
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
A seven-year NBA veteran in his first season with the Atlanta Hawks, Alexander-Walker has emerged as a leading candidate for the NBA's Most Improved Player award after increasing his scoring average from 8.6 points per game over his first six seasons to 20.8 this year.
Jalen Duren
The Detroit Pistons center is also in the running for the Most Improved Player award, averaging 19.5 points and 10.6 rebounds per game this season, up from 11.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game over his first three NBA seasons.
What they’re saying
“Performances like Alexander-Walker's on Monday against the Knicks should make voters' jobs easier. For a career role player, the former No. 17 overall pick in 2019 has become an integral player for one of the league's hottest teams since the All-Star break.”
— Eric Smithling, Writer
What’s next
The NBA will announce the winner of the Most Improved Player award in the coming weeks, with Alexander-Walker and Duren considered the top contenders.
The takeaway
Nickeil Alexander-Walker's remarkable rise from a career role player to a key contributor for the surging Atlanta Hawks has him firmly in the running for the NBA's Most Improved Player award, showcasing the type of individual growth and team success the honor is meant to recognize.
