Atlanta’s bench had 16 PTS in the first quarter. New York’s bench had 0 PTS 👀
Jonathan Kuminga’s 10 points in the 1Q are the most by a Hawks bench player in the first quarter of a playoff game in the play-by-play era (1997-98).
Getty
Nickeil Alexander-Walker wins MIP
Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker took a massive leap this season and on Friday, was named the 2025-26 Most Improved Player Award winner.
Alexander-Walker received 66 of a possible 100 first-place votes to beat out finalist Deni Avdija of the Portland Trail Blazers and Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons. Interestingly, Avdija and Duren were first-time All-Stars this season, while Alexander-Walker was not.
“Atlanta Hawks’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker has won the 2025-26 NBA Most Improved Player of the Year award,” ESPN insider Shams Charania reported on Friday.
Walker joined the Hawks on a four-year, $62 million contract in July 2025 in a sign-and-trade deal from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Serving as a sixth man for the majority of his NBA career, Walker delivered a career year as a Hawks starter this season.
He averaged 20.8 points per game — more than double his scoring from last season — along with 3.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
In March, Alexander-Walker scored a career-high 41 points to help Atlanta to a double-digit winning streak. He finished the season with eight outings of 30 or more points after hitting that mark five total times in his previous six seasons.
Walker started in 71 of his 78 games this season.
GettyNickeil Alexander-Walker is the second consecutive Hawks player to win MIP Award
Seven of the past nine Most Improved Player Award winners were first-time All-Star selections. However, for the second straight year following Dyson Daniels‘ win last season, a member of the Atlanta Hawks has gone against the grain.
This season, Walker logged 2,603 minutes, 530 more than his previous career high. His increased playing time was earned, though, as evidenced by his career-high 251 3-pointers, 277 free throws, 40 percent three-point range clip, and 90 percent free-throw clip.
Like Daniels, Alexander stood out on defense this season. Though his scoring uptick was notable, his work as a perimeter defender has been instrumental to the Hawks’ success this season.
So far, in their first-round playoff matchup against the Knicks, Walker has been one of the primary Jalen Brunson defenders.
GettyJonathan Kuminga made history in Game 2 against the Knicks
Since arriving from the Golden State Warriors, Kuminga has been a spark plug off the bench for the Hawks.
Kuminga on Thursday became the first bench player in Atlanta Hawks franchise history to score 10 or more points in the opening quarter of a playoff game.
The rim-rocking guard shot 4-for-4 from the field in the opening frame, including two three-pointers, helping the Hawks build an early lead.
Per ESPN insights, Kuminga’s bench contributions earned him a page in the history books.
“Jonathan Kuminga’s 10 points in the 1Q are the most by a Hawks bench player in the first quarter of a playoff game in the play-by-play era (1997-98).”
Atlanta’s bench had 16 PTS in the first quarter. New York’s bench had 0 PTS 👀
Jonathan Kuminga’s 10 points in the 1Q are the most by a Hawks bench player in the first quarter of a playoff game in the play-by-play era (1997-98).
“He’s been awesome,” McCollum said, via Michel Scotto.
“He has championship DNA coming from the Warriors. The athleticism is off the charts. He’s got a mid-range. He knows how to post up, screen, and defensively, he can guard 1-5. He was in a not-so-great situation. Now, he’s found a happy home.”
Jalyn Smoot Jalyn Smoot is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has nearly 10 years of experience in local and national media, including print and digital. He previously covered the Texas Rangers for MLB.com and the Philadelphia 76ers for Metro Philadelphia. Smoot is a St. Louis born writer that now resides in Dallas. More about Jalyn Smoot
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