Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker is the NBA’s 2025-26 Most Improved Player, the league announced on Friday.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker follows Dyson Daniels to make the Hawks the first team with back-to-back Kia NBA Most Improved Player winners.
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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
Alexander-Walker averaged a career high 20.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game this season while shooting career-highs in both field goal percentage and three-point percentage.
After averaging 9.4 points per game last season, the 11.4-point increase this season is the third-highest scoring increase over a single season by a player in the last 25 years.
“Nickeil’s dedication, continual work on his craft, and the ensuing results this season make him incredibly deserving of this award,” Hawks head coach Quin Snyder said in a statement. “He has a tireless work ethic and a focus on improving in every aspect of his game. His game continues to evolve, and his commitment and unselfish attitude as a teammate have also positively impacted the success of the team.”
Alexander-Walker is the second Hawks player in a row to win the award after Dyson Daniels took it home last season. He’s taken a major leap this season and is deservedly receiving credit for it.
Now, he’ll look to help the Hawks capitalize on their 2-1 series lead over the New York Knicks.
James Parker contributed to this story.
