The Atlanta Hawks signed guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker to a four-year, $60.6 million contract this offseason. He wanted a bigger role than he previously had with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He came off the bench in the first five games of the 2025-26 campaign, scoring 16.2 points per contest. The former New Orleans Pelicans draft pick never averaged over 11.0 points in his previous six seasons. However, since Trae Young went down on Oct. 29, Alexander-Walker entered the starting lineup. He took his game to another level, putting up career highs across the board and serving as the second option behind Jalen Johnson.
Hawks Guard Enjoying Breakout 2025-26 Season
Alexander-Walker Never Stops Being Aggressive on Both Ends
Alexander-Walker built up a strong defensive reputation with the Timberwolves, becoming one of the best ball-screen navigators in the league and constantly putting pressure on ball handlers. He and Dyson Daniels lead a greatly improved Hawks’ defense than a season ago. They rank 10th in defensive rating at 111.6 over their last 12 games. During Atlanta’s recent five-game win streak, it boasted a top-three, 107.7 defensive rating, vaulting them to four games over .500 before losing its last two games. The Hawks force 16.8 opponent turnovers per game, which ranks seventh in the association. Alexander-Walker, Daniels, and Johnson play crucial roles in forcing these mistakes and igniting fastbreak opportunities on offense.
Speaking of offense, Alexander-Walker is easily having the best offensive season of his career. He averages a career-high 19.7 points, shooting 47.0% from the field on 14.1 attempts. Before this campaign, the 17th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft had not eclipsed 10.5 shots per contest for a full season. The increased minutes and shot attempts result in a career-best 25.4% usage. The Hawks’ guard reached the 20% mark in the first three seasons of his career with the Pelicans, but the team was not expected to compete for a deep playoff run. In contrast, Alexander-Walker now plays a major role for a squad expected to contend for homecourt advantage in the playoffs.
Alexander-Walker Shines During Hawks’ Hot Stretch
Alexander-Walker has started 11 of Atlanta’s first 14 games. He averages 21.0 points, shooting 50.3% from the field and 35.2% from beyond the arc on 6.5 attempts. The scoring and volume easily mark career highs for the 27-year-old guard, but over his last three games, Alexander-Walker increased his production to star-level numbers.
This stretch includes the best-scoring game of his career. Alexander-Walker put up 38 points on eight made 3-pointers in Atlanta’s recent loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He started the season struggling with his outside shot, but his ability to attack closeouts and get downhill opened up more options. Alexander-Walker has hit the 20-point mark in five out of the last eight games, scoring from the free-throw line, paint, and perimeter.
Alexander-Walker has played a big offensive role down the stretch of close games. He ranks first on the team with 81 points in the fourth quarter this season. Typically, the Hawks rely on Young’s elite playmaking to create high-quality looks when the game slows down. However, with him sidelined, Alexander-Walker and Johson have had to step into this role. Atlanta lost its last two contests inside the final five minutes, but this closing experience will prove valuable when teams inevitably double-team Young, forcing his teammates to make the right play under pressure.
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