Nickeil Alexander-Walker Claims NBA's Most Improved Player Award with Stellar Season
Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been named the 2025-26 Most Improved Player, as announced by the NBA on Friday. He secured this prestigious award over fellow finalists Deni Avdija and Jalen Duren, both of whom were first-time All-Stars this season, while Alexander-Walker was not. Notably, he is the second consecutive player from the Atlanta Hawks to win this award, following Dyson Daniels's victory last year. Alexander-Walker's journey to this accolade was unexpected. Originally drafted as the No. 17 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, he faced several team changes—first moving from New Orleans to Portland, then to Utah, and finally to Minnesota. Despite a dip in scoring during his time with the Timberwolves, he transformed into a standout defensive player, improving his three-point shooting percentage to 38.4%. However, Minnesota opted to retain other players rather than re-sign him, which opened the door for the Hawks. Initially brought in as a backup to Trae Young, Alexander-Walker's role expanded significantly due to Young's injury. He increased his scoring from 9.4 to 20.8 points per game and averaged a career-high 3.7 assists. His impressive performance not only contributed to the Hawks' playoff berth as the Eastern Conference's No. 6 seed, but it also influenced the team's decision to trade Young. While Alexander-Walker did not make the All-Star Team this year, his remarkable improvement positions him as a strong candidate for future selections, marking his evolution from a backup to a pivotal player in the Hawks' lineup.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-04-24