Nickeil Alexander-Walker Wins 2025-26 NBA Most Improved Player Award
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Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker has captured the NBA’s Most Improved Player honor for the 2025-26 season, the league announced on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old is the second Hawks backcourt player in as many seasons to secure the award, following teammate Dyson Daniels’ 2024-25 victory.
Production Soars in First Year with Atlanta
After serving primarily as a defensive-minded reserve in Minnesota, Alexander-Walker signed with Atlanta last summer and assumed a far larger offensive role. His usage rate climbed from 16.0% to 23.9%, and he responded by posting career-best shooting marks: 45.9% from the field, 39.9% from three-point range, and 90.2% at the free-throw line.
The veteran boosted his scoring from 9.4 points per game last season to 20.8 PPG, while adding 3.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds. He started 71 of 78 contests and logged a personal-high 33.4 minutes per night.
According to the NBA, he is just the fifth qualified player in the past 35 seasons to raise his scoring average by at least 11 points year over year. The Hawks added that he becomes only the third player to win Most Improved in his seventh NBA campaign or later, joining Julius Randle (2021) and Hedo Turkoglu (2008).
Coach Praises Work Ethic
Head coach Quin Snyder credited the guard’s “tireless work ethic” and team-first approach, saying Alexander-Walker’s constant focus on refining every part of his game had a direct impact on both his personal growth and the club’s success.
Finalists Round Out Voting
Pistons center Jalen Duren finished second in the balloting after increasing his scoring average from 11.8 to 19.5 PPG on a 60-win Detroit squad. Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija placed third; he jumped from 16.9 to 24.2 PPG and dished a career-high 6.7 assists while leading Portland back to the postseason for the first time in four years.
Source: Hoops Rumors
