Nickeil Alexander-Walker Named NBA Most Improved Player

Hawks make NBA history as Alexander-Walker wins Most Improved Player

Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker won the 2025-26 NBA Most Improved Player Award. He averaged 20.8 points and shot 90% from the line as Atlanta leads its playoff series 2-1.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker won Most Improved Player with 66 of 96 first-place votes...

 

Nickeil Alexander-Walker was named the 2025-2026 NBA Most Improved Player on Friday night.

With the win, the Atlanta Hawks became the first team in NBA history to have players claim the award in consecutive seasons after Dyson Daniels won in 2024-2025.

 

Alexander-Walker earned 66 first-place votes, finishing ahead of Detroit’s Jalen Duren with 23 and Portland’s Deni Avdija with seven.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker increased his scoring average from 9.4 ppg in 2024-25 to 20.8 ppg in 2025-26 (+11.4).

He is the fifth player in the last 35 seasons with a year-over-year jump of 11.0+ ppg (qualified both seasons). https://t.co/n63Iy45WAS

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 24, 2026

 

The award was nearly unanimous after Alexander-Walker jumped from 9.4 points per game last season to 20.8 this season.

He also raised his free-throw percentage from 78% to 90% and shot a career-high 46% from the field.

The seven-year veteran had never averaged more than 11.0 points in a season before nearly doubling that mark this year.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker follows Dyson Daniels to make the Hawks the first team with back-to-back Kia NBA Most Improved Player winners.

A global media panel of 100 voters selected this season’s recipient.

Complete voting results ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/wo7oAv5ot4

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 24, 2026

He scored 30+ points in 10 games this season, including a career-high 41 against the Orlando Magic on March 16.

The Atlanta Hawks currently lead their playoff series against the New York Knicks 2-1.

 

Game 4 is set for April 25 at 6:00 p.m. ET.