{"id":594371,"date":"2026-02-10T10:51:32","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T10:51:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/594371\/"},"modified":"2026-02-10T10:51:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T10:51:32","slug":"watch-nickeil-alexander-walkers-touching-tribute-video-before-timberwolves-hawks-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/594371\/","title":{"rendered":"Watch Nickeil Alexander-Walker\u2019s touching tribute video before Timberwolves-Hawks clash"},"content":{"rendered":"

Watch Nickeil Alexander-Walker\u2019s touching tribute video before Timberwolves-Hawks clash<\/a> appeared first on ClutchPoints<\/a>. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Nickeil Alexander-Walker<\/a> was back in a familiar place on Monday as the Atlanta Hawks<\/a> visited the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center.<\/p>\n

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Alexander-Walker played three seasons for the Timberwolves before signing with the Hawks in the offseason on a four-year deal worth $62 million in a sign-and-trade.<\/p>\n

NAW wanted to stay in Minnesota, but the team\u2019s lack of financial flexibility forced him to seek a better contract in the open market.<\/p>\n

In his first return to Target Center since joining the Hawks, Alexander-Walker was presented with a video tribute<\/a>, as shared by The Minnesota Star Tribune\u2019s Christopher Hine.<\/p>\n

The 27-year-old guard also received a loud ovation from fans when he was introduced before tip-off.<\/p>\n

The Timberwolves trampled the Hawks, 138-116.<\/p>\n

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Alexander-Walker had a fine showing with 23 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and two steals.<\/p>\n

Minnesota improved to 33-22, while Atlanta fell to 26-29.<\/p>\n

Alexander-Walker barely played for the New Orleans Pelicans and the Utah Jazz in his first few years in the NBA. He eventually carved out a role when he was shipped to the Timberwolves in 2023. He played significant minutes off the bench, including during the playoffs.<\/p>\n

His solid play gave him leverage to ask for a bigger paycheck. Unfortunately, the Timberwolves could not do it.<\/p>\n

Now with the Hawks, Alexander-Walker is enjoying a breakout campaign, averaging career-highs of 20.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals. He is one of the early frontrunners for Most Improved Player.<\/p>\n

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NAW is a big part of the new vision in Atlanta in the post-Trae Young era<\/a>, along with Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, and Onyeka Okongwu.<\/p>\n

Related: Timberwolves star Julius Randle ties Kevin Love on all-time list in win vs. Hawks<\/a><\/p>\n

Related: Naz Reid, Mo Gueye ejected from Timberwolves-Hawks after altercation<\/a><\/p>\n