Hawks’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker gets strong ‘he better win’ MIP endorsement from SGA

Story by

Malik Brown, ClutchPoints

Thu, Apr 9, 2026 ·

2 min read

Hawks’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker gets strong ‘he better win’ MIP endorsement from SGA appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

The Atlanta Hawks made a key free agent signing this past offseason when they acquired Nickeil Alexander-Walker . After seeing how he was able to contribute to the Minnesota Timberwolves , many expected him to have that same impact for a Hawks team looking to take the next step.

Not only has he had that impact, but it’s been twice as much. After averaging 9.4 points last season, Alexander-Walker is averaging 20.9 points with the Hawks, and he’s been one of the top options on the team. It’s led to him being the favorite for Most Improved Player, and if there’s one player who’s endorsing him to win, it’s his cousin, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander .

“Yeah, he better win,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I think what’s most impressive about it is just how he stuck with it, like us obviously going through so many experiences of life together, being the same age and obviously both making it to the NBA, our pasts were like so connected until a certain point, and then they just like went left and right. We’ve talked so many times – countless times – about just being ready when the moment comes, and I’m just proud of how much he stuck with it and hastaken advantage of this moment.”

Gilgeous-Alexander knows what it means to take advantage of an opportunity, and that’s what he did when he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder . Fast forward to now, and he has a league MVP and a championship .

Alexander-Walker is now breaking out with a new team, and he’s shown growth throughout the season in different parts of his game, most importantly, his scoring.

It would not be a surprise if Alexander-Walker takes home the Most Improved Award, and it would be the second year in a row a Hawks player won, with Dyson Daniels being the recipient last season .