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Tag: Nickeil Alexander-Walker

  • Atlanta Hawks get quality win, beat Cleveland Cavs 130-123 behind triple-double from Jalen Johnson

    Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) puts in two points during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    The Atlanta Hawks have a winning record, but they didn’t have many quality victories this season. Other than a victory in Orlando in early November, the Hawks hadn’t defeated a team over .500.

    That changed on Friday night as the Hawks defeated the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 130-123. After the game, Hawks head coach Quin Snyder said both teams played well, “but we did a lot of things late.”

    Cavaliers All-Star point guard Darius Garland was back on the court for just the sixth time this season. Cleveland is a much better team with Garland, the same way the Hawks are better when Trae Young is in the lineup. Similar to Garland, Young has only played in five games. He could be seen taking jump shots during warmups over an hour before the two teams came out for regular pregame warm-ups. Young isn’t expected back for another week or two.

    Atlanta got out to an early 10-point lead after allowing Cleveland to open the game with a 7-0 advantage. One of the strengths of this Hawks team is its depth, and reserves like Mouhamed Gueye have consistently contributed scoring when needed. Gueye caught an alley-oop from teammate Zaccharie Risacher on one possession and dunked home two points on a baseline drive on another. Gueye had another dunk to give Atlanta a 33-20 lead with 28.8 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

    Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) finished the game with 10 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    Tied at 47 with five minutes remaining in the first half, Garland went on a mini-run, throwing alley-oops and getting to the basket whenever he felt it was necessary. He and All-Star teammate Donovan Mitchell (42 points) helped the Cavs grab a 56-55 lead with 2:22 on the clock.

    The first half included former Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter and Gueye getting into a double-foul situation following a dunk by Hunter. The Cavs then went on an 11-0 run to pull within a point at 33-32 at the nine-minute mark.

    There were more than a dozen lead changes during the first half before the Cavaliers finally took a 62-60 lead at the half. The Hawks, led by 15 points from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, had four players score 10 or more points during the first half. Mitchell led Cleveland with a game-high 22 first-half points.

    Atlanta regained the lead during the third quarter. The Hawks led by as many as nine points during the quarter, led by the play of Dyson Daniels. The Australian native averages just under 10 points per game for the Hawks, but continues to affect the game in different ways. Daniels scored four points late in the quarter, but also had eight assists and six rebounds by the end of the third.

    “I thought he did a great job of getting in the game and making the right decisions,” Snyder said of Daniels’s play on Friday night. “Tonight his stats reflected that.”

    The win over the Cavs was only the second over a team with a .500 record. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    During the fourth quarter, Mitchell scored eight straight points for Cleveland to cut the Atlanta lead. That run included a three-pointer off a Hawks turnover to make the score 107-103. Hawks guard Vit Krejci was the player who was responsible for the turnover, but it was also Krejci who dunked on a fast break to give Atlanta an 111-103 cushion.

    With the game tied at 113, the teams exchanged leads and dunks from Risacher and Hunter before the Hawks took a five-point advantage on a pair of free throws from Jalen Johnson (triple-double: 29 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists). The game was tied again at 123 with 1:24 remaining in the game when Alexander-Walker was fouled while shooting a three-pointer in front of the Hawks’ bench. Following a coach’s challenge, that call was reversed. Alexander-Walker would get his revenge when he and Risacher connected on back-to-back three-pointers to put Atlanta up 129-123 with less than a minute to play.

    The Atlanta Hawks were under .500 at home (3-4) coming into this game against the Cavaliers. Cleveland wasn’t playing much better on the road with a 4-4 record. Something had to give.

    A view of State Farm Arena (right), home of the Atlanta Hawks, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, on Friday, November 28, 2025. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    What’s Next: The Hawks will return to the court on Sunday in Philadelphia and on Monday in Detroit. They return to State Farm Arena on Wednesday, Dec. 3, to begin a two-game homestand against the Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets on Friday, December 5.

    Donnell Suggs

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  • ‘On to the next’: Atlanta Hawks are off for Thanksgiving, back on Fri. vs Cavs

    The Atlanta Hawks will be off tonight and Thursday night before hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night at State Farm Arena, where the Hawks are 3-4 this season. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    First-year Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker sat down in front of the reporter’s cameras, voice recorders, and notebooks after practice on Wednesday afternoon. From the look of his body language, the veteran Canadian guard was looking forward to having the next couple of nights off.

    Asked if he was looking forward to having Wednesday and Thursday night off before the Hawks host the Cleveland Cavaliers at State Farm Arena on Friday night, Alexander-Walker confirmed what his body was already giving off.

    “For sure,” he said. “You get time to relax, and it’s always good to mix in rest. You feel a lot lighter.”

    Alexander-Walker hasn’t gotten much rest this season, as he has played in 17 of the Hawks’ 19 games. Primarily a starter, Alexander-Walker is averaging 31.6 minutes per game to go along with nearly 19 points, three rebounds, and just over three assists per game.

    He added that it would be good to “get away from the X’s and O’s for a bit.”

    On Tuesday, the Hawks played like they were ready for Thanksgiving break, falling behind by 20 points to the Washington Wizards en route to a 19-point loss to one of the worst teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

    Atlanta, 11-8 overall, is currently in sixth place in the Eastern Conference and will have a tough string of games coming up. Along with hosting Cleveland, the Hawks will play back-to-back road games at Philadelphia and Detroit on Sunday and Monday, respectively.

    The Hawks will return to Atlanta to host the Denver Nuggets on Friday, December 5, before traveling to the Nation’s Capital to face the Wizards again on Saturday, December 6.

    Second-year Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (above) is averaging 11.7 points per game. He scored 17 points in the Hawks’ loss at Washington on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    On Wednesday, Hawks second-year forward Zaccharie Risacher could be seen working on his three-point shot with coaches. Risacher was coming off screens and catch-and-shoots, trying to get his stroke back. A night earlier in Washington, he scored 17 points during what would be a blowout loss and one of the many mundane regular-season games in the NBA. The game wasn’t meaningless to Risacher, who broke a single-digit scoring streak he had been going through. Risacher scored just five points against the Charlotte Hornets the last time the Hawks were at home last Sunday, and eight points at New Orleans last Saturday. The Hawks won both games, but are a better team when Risacher, who averages 11.7 points, 2.8 rebounds per game, and shoots 44.6% from the field, adds his two cents.

    Risacher scored just two points in the Hawks’ loss in San Antonio a week ago.

    The Atlanta Hawks are 3-4 at home this season, but Alexander-Walker understands that the NBA season is indeed a marathon.

    “On to the next,” he said. “You’ve got to learn from your wins and your losses.”

    Donnell Suggs

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  • Atlanta Hawks, winners Sunday night, have to play better at home

    Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder credited his team for keeping their poise during Sunday’s back-and-forth game against the Charlotte Hornets. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    The Atlanta Hawks have had capacity crowds in State Farm Arena on several occasions this season, including for games against the Detroit Pistons (on Tuesday) and the Charlotte Hornets (tonight). For the most part, they have played competitively on their home turf this season. However, an overall home record of 3-4 following a 113-110 victory over Charlotte still leaves Atlanta playing underachieving ball in their own backyard. 

    On Sunday, against Charlotte, Atlanta got off to a slow start, falling behind by as much as six points before fighting back to take a 28-25 lead after the first quarter. For a team that is 8-3 on the road this season, and that’s without its All-Star point guard Trae Young, the Hawks do not seem to be as focused at home. As of Sunday, the Hawks had the best road record in the Eastern Conference (the Toronto Raptors are 7-3 and the Detroit Pistons are 6-1).

    The Hawks finished the game with four players having scored 20 or more points, and five players in double-digits, including 10 points off the bench from point guard Keaton Wallace.

    After the game, Hawks head coach Quin Snyder credited his team with “keeping their poise throughout the game” and remaining unselfish.

    “We didn’t think we were sharing the ball like we could have at the beginning of the game,” Snyder said.

    Charlotte regained a 35-31 lead early in the second quarter and kept an advantage throughout the quarter, ending the first half with a 55-53 lead. With both teams playing without their presumed best players, Charlotte was without guard LaMelo Ball (21 points, nine assists, and six rebounds), and the game was close throughout.  

    Jalen Johnson (28 points on 11-22 from the field), the Hawks’ leading scorer this season, scored six straight points to help Atlanta regain a 78-77 lead late in the third quarter. Johnson, the previous Eastern Conference Player of the Week, has been a huge reason for the Hawks’ strong play on the road this season, but a career year from first-year Hawk Nickeil Alexander-Walker (19 points, three assists, three rebounds per game) has done just as much to keep Atlanta among the top seven teams in the East.

    Alexander-Walker’s three-pointer near the end of the third quarter gave Atlanta a 92-88 lead. Defensive plays from Dyson Daniels (22 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and two steals) and Mouhamed Gueye, and a pair of three-pointers by Wallace contributed to Atlanta’s largest lead of the game, 101-92, with nine minutes remaining in the game. Alexander-Walker (23 points, four assists, five rebounds) made a couple of late-game free throws to help Atlanta secure the victory.

    Hawks reserve forward Mouhamed Gueye (above) blocked two shots during the Hawks’ three-point victory over the Hornets on Sunday night. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    Gueye, who is averaging a career-high six points off the bench this season, only scored four points tonight, but blocked two shots. He said the entire team understands how to contribute night after night.

    “Everybody knows their role, and we’re just a team,” Gueye said in the Hawks locker room after the game. “We just find ways to win.”

    Atlanta will be back home a day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 28, to host former Hawks forward DeAndre Hunter and the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

    A Duke reunion of sorts: Between the Hawks and Hornets, there were five Duke University basketball players on the court Sunday night. The Blue Devils alumni game featured Hawks star Jalen Johnson and reserve forward Luke Kennard (DNP), as well as Hornets starters Sion James (seven points, six rebounds, three assists in 32 minutes), Mason Plumlee, and Kon Knueppel (28 points). 

    Former Pebblebrook High School star and Hornets guard Colin Sexton (8, above at free throw line) scored 22 points on Sunday night. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    Welcome Home, Colin: Marietta native, former Pebblebrook High School star and McDonald’s All-American Colin Sexton started for Charlotte on Sunday night. In the middle of a steady NBA career, Sexton is averaging 15 points and nearly five assists a game this season. In front of the home crowd on Sunday night, Sexton got the Hornets out to a strong start with nine of his 22 points in the first quarter. 

    Donnell Suggs

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  • Atlanta Hawks lose a ‘tough test’ to Detroit Pistons 120-112

    A pair of free throws from Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander Walker (at line) cut the Piston lead to four points with just under two minutes remaining in the game. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    On Tuesday night, the Atlanta Hawks hosted the Detroit Pistons, the Eastern Conference’s best team. They lost, but might have learned some valuable lessons along the way. Final score: 120-112.

    Earlier that afternoon, The Atlanta Voice asked what kind of test playing the Pistons would be this early in the season. Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, the reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week, said it would be much more than just another regular-season game.

    The Atlanta Hawks and forward Jalen Johnson (above) are on a five-game win streak. Tuesday night’s game against the Detroit Pistons at State Farm Arena is more just a regular season game, says Johnson. ” Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    “I think it’s going to be a good test. They are a great team; they have been hot. We just have to come in with a chip on our shoulder.”

    Johnson averaged 24 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, and two steals during the four games he played last week. He said the Hawks have been playing well lately, but needed to continue building on the things that have helped them achieve a five-game win streak. That starts again tonight.

    “It’s a new game tonight, we have to protect home court,” Johnson said.

    Hawks guard Dyson Daniels, second in the league in steals (2.3) behind Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (2.4), brother of Hawks reserve point guard Keaton Wallace, was looking forward to a rare early-season big game. 

    Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (above) said games like the one against Detroit on Tuesday night were what good teams want to be a part of. “These are the games you want to play,” he said. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    “These are the games you want to play,” said Daniels. “It’s going to be a tough test, but we’re up for it. The guys are ready to go.” 

    Daniels and Johnson were correct; it was a tough test. Detroit went ahead early and, other than two ties in the second quarter, maintained a lead throughout the first half. Piston star guard and an early All-NBA candidate, Cade Cunningham, was averaging 27.5 points per game coming into the contest. Cunningham was held to four points late in the first half before scoring the Pistons’ final six points of the half. 

    Midway through the third quarter, the Hawks would seize some of the momentum, cutting the Pistons’ lead to five points on a three-pointer from Onyeka Okongwu. Cunningham scored four straight points and found his teammates, mainly forward Jalen Duran, for layups. 

    With a minute remaining in the third quarter, Atlanta gave up four unanswered points to Pistons reserves to go down 94-78. Four consecutive points from Johnson cut the Pistons’ lead to 12 points, 94-82, at the end of the quarter.

    The fourth quarter began with the home team slicing Detroit’s lead to eight points after Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Okongwu scored five unanswered points. A Daniels floater brought the crowd to its feet, and a tip-in by Mouhamed Gueye on the following possession made the score 97-93 with eight minutes to play. Daniels hit another floater in the late to bring Atlanta within a point, 99-98, and force a Pistons timeout. Hawks All-Star guard Trae Young could be seen cheering his teammates on from the bench. Young is expected to be out through November.

    Consecutive Atlanta turnovers gave Detroit time to get its act together and extend its lead to six points with less than five minutes to play. A dunk down the middle of the lane by former OTE star Ausar Thompson was one of the Pistons’ second-half highlights.

    With the score 108-104 and just under two minutes on the clock, Alexander-Walker drove to the basket and drew a foul. He made both free throws to pull Atlanta to within two points for the first time since the game began.

    Atlanta wouldn’t seriously threaten Detroit again.

    The Hawks, now 9-6 overall and 7-2 on the road this season, will play consecutive road games before returning to State Farm Arena to host the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. Atlanta will travel to San Antonio to play the Spurs on Thursday and the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday. Ironincally, that will be the same weekend the Atlanta Hawks will play the New Orleans Saints in the Caesars Superdome in what has been deemed a must-win-or-else game for head coach Raheem Morris. 

    Donnell Suggs

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  • ‘Definitely looking forward to it’: Atlanta Hawks open preseason in Houston on Monday

    First-year Atlanta Hawks forward Kristaps Porzingis (right) works on his three-point form during practice on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    The Atlanta Hawks will begin the preseason away from home. The preseason opener will be in Houston on Monday night (8 p.m. tipoff).

    On Sunday morning, the Hawks practiced at the team facility in Brookhaven, putting in some work before heading to Houston.

    Newcomers Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luke Kennard, and Kristaps Porzingis will play significant roles on this year’s team. On Sunday, Porzingis could be seen knocking down three-pointers during a drill. On the other side of the practice court, Kennard engaged in a three-point shootout with teammates like Vit Krejci, one of the team’s better long-range shooters last season. 

    Asked if they are looking forward to taking those three-pointers into an actual game, Lennard said, “Definitely looking forward to it.”

    “We have been pushing each other hard this last week of training camp. You’re going up against the same guys every day, so we’re excited to be all together as one team and compete as a group,” Kennard said.

    “I’m super-excited to compete wi
    th the new guys, and it’s going to be great. We have a lot of good people around here, and we’re just trying to put it all together,” Hawks reserve guard Vit Krejci (above) said. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    Krejci, who has been with the franchise since the 2022-23 season, said it has been a “long offseason” and he was ready to start playing in games again.

    “I’m super-excited to compete with the new guys, and it’s going to be great. We have a lot of good people around here, and we’re just trying to put it all together,” Krejci said.

    Monday night will be the start of a new season for Atlanta.

    “I’m sure it’s going to take a couple of games, a couple of practices, but you can see from the start till now that we are getting better and understand each other more as teammates,” said Krejci. 

    The Atlanta Hawks (above) will play the Houston Rockets in a home-and-away this preseason.
    Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    Last year’s runner-up for NBA Rookie of the Year, Zaccharie Risacher, returns to the court with added confidence and more experience. His role as one of the team’s scoring options will change with the return of Jalen Johnson from injury. And then there’s All-Star guard and the team’s leading scorer and assist man, Trae Young. 

    With one year remaining on his current contract and a player option for $48.9 million for the 2026-27 season, Young will be playing for more than a division title and playoff spot this year. He wasn’t available to talk to the media after practice on Sunday. Young was all smiles while hoisting three-pointers with his teammates when the media was allowed onto the practice floor.

    Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder after practice on Sunday. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    Hawks head coach Quin Snyder said there were certain things any team wanted to accomplish during the preseason and that these next four games were “an opportunity to put different lineups on the floor.”

    The preseason schedule, following the game in Houston, will include a game in Memphis against the Grizzlies on Saturday, Oct. 11, and a pair of home games against the Miami Heat (Monday, Oct. 13) and the Rockets (Thursday, Oct. 22). 

    The Hawks’ regular season begins at home at State Farm Arena against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, Oct. 22. Atlanta finished the 2024-25 season with a record of 40-42. It was the eighth consecutive season the Hawks finished with 43 or fewer wins in an individual season.  

    Donnell Suggs

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