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Watch Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s touching tribute video before Timberwolves-Hawks clash
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- Watch Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s touching tribute video before Timberwolves-Hawks clash
Watch Nickeil Alexander-Walker's touching tribute video before Timberwolves-Hawks clash appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Nickeil Alexander-Walker was back in a familiar place on Monday as the Atlanta Hawks visited the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center.
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Alexander-Walker played three seasons for the Timberwolves before signing with the Hawks in the offseason on a four-year deal worth $62 million in a sign-and-trade.
NAW wanted to stay in Minnesota , but the team's lack of financial flexibility forced him to seek a better contract in the open market.
In his first return to Target Center since joining the Hawks, Alexander-Walker was presented with a video tribute , as shared by The Minnesota Star Tribune's Christopher Hine.
The 27-year-old guard also received a loud ovation from fans when he was introduced before tip-off.
The Timberwolves trampled the Hawks, 138-116.
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Alexander-Walker had a fine showing with 23 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
Minnesota improved to 33-22, while Atlanta fell to 26-29.
Alexander-Walker barely played for the New Orleans Pelicans and the Utah Jazz in his first few years in the NBA. He eventually carved out a role when he was shipped to the Timberwolves in 2023. He played significant minutes off the bench, including during the playoffs.
His solid play gave him leverage to ask for a bigger paycheck. Unfortunately, the Timberwolves could not do it.
Now with the Hawks, Alexander-Walker is enjoying a breakout campaign, averaging career-highs of 20.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals. He is one of the early frontrunners for Most Improved Player.
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NAW is a big part of the new vision in Atlanta in the post-Trae Young era , along with Jalen Johnson , Dyson Daniels , and Onyeka Okongwu .
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