Nickeil Alexander-Walker's return to Minnesota shows Ayo Dosunmu the way

The former Timberwolves fan favorite was celebrated in his return, inspiring the newest Minnesota guard to follow in his footsteps.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Nickeil Alexander-Walker, a former role player for the Minnesota Timberwolves, received a hero's welcome in his return to the Target Center as a member of the Atlanta Hawks. The crowd's adoration for Alexander-Walker, who never averaged double-digit points but endeared himself to the team and fans with his energy and work ethic, has not gone unnoticed by the Timberwolves' newest acquisition, Ayo Dosunmu. Dosunmu, who was traded from the Chicago Bulls, is looking to fill the "NAW-sized hole" on the Timberwolves roster and hopes to earn a similar level of appreciation from the fans through his own relentless effort and aggression on the court.

Why it matters

Alexander-Walker's popularity in Minnesota, despite his modest statistical contributions, highlights the value that fans place on players who give maximum effort and embody the team's spirit. Dosunmu, who shares many of the same traits as Alexander-Walker, has an opportunity to become a fan favorite in his own right and help the Timberwolves recapture the energy and cohesion they have lacked in recent weeks.

The details

In his first game back in Minnesota, Alexander-Walker scored 23 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists for the Hawks. The Timberwolves, led by strong performances from Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert, defeated the Hawks 138-116. Dosunmu, in his second game with the Timberwolves, scored 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting and showcased his speed and defensive intensity, which the team hopes will help fill the void left by Alexander-Walker's departure.

  • On Monday, February 10, 2026, Nickeil Alexander-Walker returned to the Target Center as a member of the Atlanta Hawks.
  • Ayo Dosunmu made his second appearance for the Timberwolves on the same night, after being traded from the Chicago Bulls last week.

The players

Nickeil Alexander-Walker

A former role player for the Minnesota Timberwolves who is now a starting guard for the Atlanta Hawks, earning a $62 million contract after his time in Minnesota.

Ayo Dosunmu

A newly acquired guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves, traded from the Chicago Bulls, who is looking to fill the "NAW-sized hole" on the Timberwolves roster and earn the same level of appreciation from the fans as Alexander-Walker.

Anthony Edwards

A star player for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who scored 30 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists in the win over the Hawks.

Julius Randle

A key player for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who had 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in the win over the Hawks.

Rudy Gobert

A starting center for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who scored 18 points on 7-of-7 shooting in the win over the Hawks.

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What they’re saying

“Being a role player and getting the tribute that I did and everyone just embracing me. Honestly, watching it, it was hard not to smile and just appreciate it.”

— Nickeil Alexander-Walker (The New York Times)

“When you're a player like me who gives it your all each and every night, the only way you can pay back the fans is by going out there and giving your all on a night-in and night-out basis. You can't control making shots, but you can control your effort. You can control playing hard, and that's just what I'm hanging my hat on.”

— Ayo Dosunmu (The New York Times)

“I didn't know he was that fast. He can get up and down, and then obviously he can guard, get in passing lanes, stuff like that. He's gonna be really good.”

— Julius Randle (The New York Times)

What’s next

The Timberwolves will look to Ayo Dosunmu to continue providing the energy and effort that made Nickeil Alexander-Walker a fan favorite, as they try to recapture their form and secure a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The takeaway

Nickeil Alexander-Walker's enduring popularity in Minnesota, despite his modest statistical contributions, serves as a blueprint for how Ayo Dosunmu can earn the trust and admiration of Timberwolves fans by playing with relentless energy and commitment to the team's success, regardless of individual accolades.