Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been named the NBA’s Most Improved Player for the 2025/26 season, the league announced today (Twitter link). It’s the second consecutive year in which an Atlanta guard has won the award, with Alexander-Walker joining ’24/25 winner Dyson Daniels.
A quality reserve valued for his defense during his time in Minnesota, Alexander-Walker signed with the Hawks in free agency last summer and took on a much larger offensive role with his new team, as his usage rate increased from 16.0% to 23.9%. Despite taking on more offensive responsibilities, the 27-year-old actually increased his shooting efficiency, setting new career highs in field goal percentage (45.9%), three-point percentage (39.9%), and free throw percentage (90.2%).
Alexander-Walker also boosted his scoring average from 9.4 points per game during his final season in Minnesota to 20.8 PPG with the Hawks while contributing 3.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds per night. He started 71 of 78 games and logged a career-high 33.4 minutes per contest.
According to the NBA (Twitter link), among qualified players, Alexander-Walker is just the fifth one in the last 35 seasons to increase his scoring average by 11 or more points from one season to the next. He’s also only the third player to claim a Most Improved Player award in his seven season or later, per the Hawks, joining Julius Randle (2021) and Hedo Turkoglu (2008).
“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 beat out a pair of players who made the leap from quality starter to star in 2025/26 — Pistons center Jalen Duren and Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija finished second and third in Most Improved Player voting, respectively, after earning their first All-Star nods this season.
Duren increased his scoring average from 11.8 PPG to 19.5 PPG and was the second-best player on a Pistons team that won 60 games. Avdija, who went from 16.9 PPG to 24.2 PPG and handed out a career-high 6.7 APG, was the top scorer and play-maker for a Blazers squad that snapped a four-year playoff drought.
Alexander-Walker received 66 first-place votes and 396 total points, with Duren claiming 23 first-place votes and 254 total points and Avdija getting seven first-place votes and 135 points. Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (three) and Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (one) earned the other first-place votes, though Celtics big man Neemias Queta was the fourth-place finisher, coming in one spot ahead of Rollins due to his 23 third-place votes.
Rockets guard Reed Sheppard, Suns guard Collin Gillespie, Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, Spurs guard Stephon Castle, Mavericks forward Naji Marshall, Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels, Rockets guard Amen Thompson, and Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama also each showed up on at least one ballot.
The full voting results can be found right here (Twitter link).
Well deserved! Happy for him. Great player. Really liked the guy. Have missed him on the team. I’m still a big fan of his. Great to see him really take off this year.
Amazing reg season. So far, he’s dropped off in scoring and FG% in the playoffs though
If Mikal Bridges doesn’t start gm4, Nickeil will have a much better game
Nice.
If my Hawks go get Cason Wallace this summer (like I hope we do), we could be looking at 3 in a row this time next yr
Bro relax. Like what. You said AJ is going to be drafted fourth or something
Avdija deserved it more and I’m not a fan of his
Curious as to why you think that. Looking at their stats NAW went from averaging 9.4 pts per game last season to 20.8 this year. Avdija was 16.9 last year to 24.2. Looks like NAW’s FG % went up for both regular and 3pt while Avdija’s went down. The only stat he has over NAW is his assists.
NAW had Jalen Johnson and others helping making it easy for NAW to score that, yes NAW did have a career year out of nowhere scoring 20ppg previously from his scoring high average 11ppg.
Avdija had to be the man for his team and do everything. Turning himself into a maybe superstar if he keeps improving. Leading the Blazers into the playoffs.
I’m not upset NAW won because he deserves it too. NAW just needs to do it next season so isn’t a fluke thing
Powell had deserved the award a couple years back
I get it but it is a one year award so future seasons don’t really matter for this award. Any other player on ATL could have stepped up and done improved himself same as any other player on any other team. It’s all about making the most of the opportunities you’re given. I do understand what you’re saying though and think they both will have great careers.
Why did you only focus one thing I said? Where did I say future seasons play into this? NAW is shooting more because someone needs to. The most improved isn’t just about how many points you improved on. NAW isn’t leading Atlanta like Deni is doing much more in Portland. Deni took the opportunity you mentioned and lifted Portland back into something. NAW is scoring 20ppg.
The NBA doesn’t want another Mike James year. If NAW doesn’t average 20ppg next year then this award means nothing other than point increases
This award means more than more points scored just saying but yeah it’s this era
I get him winning. Hope it was close with Deni. Could have been either.
This would not have been possible without Trae Young’s injury and trade. What a bold and right decision to trade away your franchise veteran! Kudos to FO!
SGA and NAW first cousins to win individual awards in the same season.
Most Improved? Or Finally Lived Up To Expectations?
Only two players that received votes were not 1st round picks and didn’t average double figures in PPG last year.
In other words, it should’ve been Rollins or Queta